The Grinch: As Cuddly as a Cactus

In 2024 it is hard to imagine a Christmas season without the story of the Grinch and the Who’s from Whoville from the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. This story was introduced nearly 70 years ago when the book was published in 1957 and then in 1966 the iconic original cartoon debuted narrated by Boris Karloff. In the years since the story and legend of the grinch has only grown in scope and influence. Several expanded and more elaborate versions of the story have been told, acted out and filmed. Grinch merchandise can be found everywhere from Buc-ee’s to Walmart to Amazon and most places in-between. The original story by Dr. Seuss along with the songs added by that first cartoon continue tell a simple but profound message.  The story of the Grinch is a great example of the Hug Your Cactus metaphor and journey in pop culture.  The “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” song from the cartoon even includes the line,

That’s not a very flattering description of the one who hates everything Christmas.

The hug your cactus journey begins with a life in crisis, a crisis that is self-imposed, meaning that the one in crisis is personally responsible for their crisis. In the case of the Grinch, his crisis is exposed by his hatred of Christmas and the Who’s that are celebrating it.  The Grinch’s hate runs so deep that he plots to ruin Christmas for the Who’s by stealing all the things he believes Christmas to be. He takes the gifts, the trees, the decorations, and even the food.  This crisis then exposes your cactus, the ugly parts of your soul, the reason behind the reason for your self-destructive compulsions and addictions. The ugliness of the Grinch’s soul is described quite vividly in the song:

“Your soul is an appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable mangled up in tangled up knots!”
–Dr. Seuss

Not ready to hug his cactus or embrace this ugliness of his soul, the grinch pours himself into this destruction of Christmas, so miserable himself that he can’t bear to see or hear the joy and happiness that others are experiencing.

Yet, the story of The Grinch as an example of the hug your cactus journey, is actually a story of hope and redemption. Early in the story we learn that the likely reason for the Grinch’s behavior was, “that his heart was two sizes too small.” His plan fails, Christmas morning still comes, and all his plotting and thievery does nothing to stop the Who’s from singing their Christmas joy. The Grinch then hugs his cactus and embraces the ugly parts of his soul. In this his life finds new meaning and, “the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day!” The Grinch takes responsibility for his actions and returns Christmas to the Who’s and even joins them in the Christmas celebration. In all of this the Grinch concludes:

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!”
–Dr. Seuss

The story of the Grinch is an important one at Christmas time. While Christmas is a time of great joy and celebration for many, it is also a time for sadness and even depression for others.  Even an enthusiastic, mostly positive-minded person like me is not exempt from what they often call the Holiday Blues. I have found myself a little off this year, especially it being the first holiday season after my mom’s death. My own tendency to avoid painful and uncomfortable things has somewhat caught up with me. In my own cactus hugging journey I am resisting this tendency and leaning into the sucky-ness of grief around the holidays.

For the first time in my life, I can actually relate to the Grinch.
I totally get him being annoyed by all the Christmas cheer around him.

Stories about characters like The Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge around Christmas time serve as important reminders to hug your cactus, so that your heart does not become two sizes too small. Embrace the ugly and celebrate as Christmas does mean so much more.  It means that there is always something to be grateful for and hopeful towards.  For many that something more is found in the birth of a savior, God becoming a human. For some it is a break from work and a time of rest. For others it is a time to be around family and catch up with loved ones.

Whatever it is for you, Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!