I'd be lying if I said that this time of year doesn't offer some reflection time for me. It's impossible not to get into my own head, what with my cell phone ( the lifeline of my business) being eerily, yet seasonably, quiet and with the snow and cold keeping me indoors.
I do want to thank you all for checking back in here from time to time to read what I have to say. I've been wanting to feel bad about my writing lately because, let's face it...I'm a tortured Gemini, I like to pick on myself and always want to be better. In fact, I considered closing my blog down all together. Unsolicited comments from friends have encouraged me to keep writing. I suppose it's the only way I will get better. So, for all of you reading, please understand that I am open to constructive criticism. I welcome it. But, be forewarned, I already know I overuse the comma, so that can't count. Again, my heartfelt thanks to those who give a shit about what I have to say. It means a lot, being someone who has several basic needs; the most important one of being heard.
I think I may come across as being really negative about, what I call, "Hallmark Holidays". I'm really not, you know. I just get a bit irritated when stores and advertising for any particular holiday begin months in advance of the actual holiday, confirming that they really are just commercial events. Most are commercial events feeding off society's need to "feel" something and "do" something.
I got around to really thinking about where I stand this year on Christmas, and you can read about my position in my preceding post. If I didn't have to look at Christmas trees and ornaments in October/November or hear Christmas music at the mall so far in advance, I just might be able to get into it. Okay, that's a lie. A bald-faced lie.
It got me wondering....I am sure that Christmas served/serves/will serve a purpose for years. But then I realized that our society is really "event" driven. We have holidays to celebrate, TV premieres to watch, vacations to go on. All for entertainment purposes. I think we are really one of the only species that do anything for entertainment purposes. We are fortunate in that, but also unfortunate.
Which brings me to my point. These "Hallmark Holidays" we "buy" into are really for entertainment purposes. Something to look forward to. Landmarks. Deadlines. In some cases, obligations. And that is why I don't necessarily buy in.
I am pretty sure that the meaning of Christmas is not to bitch and complain about your family behind their backs before they arrive at your house for dinner, or after they've left. If you don't like your family, don't spend time with them.
I don't think the meaning of Valentine's day is for your man to "prove" to you how much he loves you by presenting you a hideous diamond pendant that he was brainwashed into buying you through commercials that began on December 26th. And ladies, we need to give our men a serious break here. Do you realize how difficult it is for men to be open and loving as it is, without us putting undue pressure on them? I know that if I receive flowers on Valentine's day, it sure means a million times less than receiving them on any given Tuesday, out of the blue. How about giving our men some latitude to be creative on their own. I somehow suspect that Valentine's day was created by a woman who was insecure in her position with her man and therefore found a way to "force" him to prove it to her.
Although New Year's isn't necessarily commercially driven, it does put undue expectations on people. They feel they need to set out "resolutions" to be different, be better. Again, it seems this falls into the "entertainment" category of human existence. Want to be different? Do it now. The diet doesn't start tomorrow if you're serious about it.
You may be thinking "Oh, she's jilted and jaded". Think what you will, but I ask you to think about your intention when participating in these commercially based holidays.
Some are great fun, I admit...especially St. Patrick's day. I mean, who doesn't want an excuse to drink green beer and sing Irish songs on a Wednesday in March?
All I am considering is the reason why we participate in these holidays of expectation.
I'd rather approach holidays or non-holidays with intention, personally. Do something for, or better yet-with, the people I care for.
I think these holidays and things we look forward to often take us out of our reality and out of being present.
Just do me a favor this year and think about it.
Maybe do the same things, but perhaps create your own "Non-hallmark holidays". Do things because you want to, not because it is expected.
I guarantee the results will astound you.
I do want to thank you all for checking back in here from time to time to read what I have to say. I've been wanting to feel bad about my writing lately because, let's face it...I'm a tortured Gemini, I like to pick on myself and always want to be better. In fact, I considered closing my blog down all together. Unsolicited comments from friends have encouraged me to keep writing. I suppose it's the only way I will get better. So, for all of you reading, please understand that I am open to constructive criticism. I welcome it. But, be forewarned, I already know I overuse the comma, so that can't count. Again, my heartfelt thanks to those who give a shit about what I have to say. It means a lot, being someone who has several basic needs; the most important one of being heard.
I think I may come across as being really negative about, what I call, "Hallmark Holidays". I'm really not, you know. I just get a bit irritated when stores and advertising for any particular holiday begin months in advance of the actual holiday, confirming that they really are just commercial events. Most are commercial events feeding off society's need to "feel" something and "do" something.
I got around to really thinking about where I stand this year on Christmas, and you can read about my position in my preceding post. If I didn't have to look at Christmas trees and ornaments in October/November or hear Christmas music at the mall so far in advance, I just might be able to get into it. Okay, that's a lie. A bald-faced lie.
It got me wondering....I am sure that Christmas served/serves/will serve a purpose for years. But then I realized that our society is really "event" driven. We have holidays to celebrate, TV premieres to watch, vacations to go on. All for entertainment purposes. I think we are really one of the only species that do anything for entertainment purposes. We are fortunate in that, but also unfortunate.
Which brings me to my point. These "Hallmark Holidays" we "buy" into are really for entertainment purposes. Something to look forward to. Landmarks. Deadlines. In some cases, obligations. And that is why I don't necessarily buy in.
I am pretty sure that the meaning of Christmas is not to bitch and complain about your family behind their backs before they arrive at your house for dinner, or after they've left. If you don't like your family, don't spend time with them.
I don't think the meaning of Valentine's day is for your man to "prove" to you how much he loves you by presenting you a hideous diamond pendant that he was brainwashed into buying you through commercials that began on December 26th. And ladies, we need to give our men a serious break here. Do you realize how difficult it is for men to be open and loving as it is, without us putting undue pressure on them? I know that if I receive flowers on Valentine's day, it sure means a million times less than receiving them on any given Tuesday, out of the blue. How about giving our men some latitude to be creative on their own. I somehow suspect that Valentine's day was created by a woman who was insecure in her position with her man and therefore found a way to "force" him to prove it to her.
Although New Year's isn't necessarily commercially driven, it does put undue expectations on people. They feel they need to set out "resolutions" to be different, be better. Again, it seems this falls into the "entertainment" category of human existence. Want to be different? Do it now. The diet doesn't start tomorrow if you're serious about it.
You may be thinking "Oh, she's jilted and jaded". Think what you will, but I ask you to think about your intention when participating in these commercially based holidays.
Some are great fun, I admit...especially St. Patrick's day. I mean, who doesn't want an excuse to drink green beer and sing Irish songs on a Wednesday in March?
All I am considering is the reason why we participate in these holidays of expectation.
I'd rather approach holidays or non-holidays with intention, personally. Do something for, or better yet-with, the people I care for.
I think these holidays and things we look forward to often take us out of our reality and out of being present.
Just do me a favor this year and think about it.
Maybe do the same things, but perhaps create your own "Non-hallmark holidays". Do things because you want to, not because it is expected.
I guarantee the results will astound you.
1 Comments:
My hubby of 3 years and I decided to stop celebrating these commercial holidays, instead we "surprise each other", that way there are no expectations and therefore no disappointments. So far it is working.
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