Sunday, November 16, 2008

Reflections


I'm going to be honest here and say....I dread the upcoming Holidays. Especially Christmas. I'm not looking forward to it at all. I don't hate it, just what it's become. Christmas does not mean anything to me at all. Why? Well when I was younger and had little kids it was kinda fun playing Santa and giving out presents. But now it feels more like an obligation. I am not that same materialistic person that I used to be. Why should I fall into the trap of doing that mad rush of trying to find everyone that perfect gift when they don't really care anyhow? Lets face it....Christmas has become so commercialized by the expensive gifts (the more $$ the better) and all the ridiculous rivalry between neighbors to put up the best light display, that urge to get all your kids the same number of gifts (while spending the same amount on each), and the need to cook all that food that's enough for about 30 people when you only have 4 coming for dinner. You spend 2 or 3 days shopping and cooking and then when it's time to eat it's all over with in less than 30 minutes and if you're lucky you might get a couple of half-hearted thank yous. You spend weeks or maybe even months searching for those hard to find toys for your kids that are all the rage this season and they must have them. On Christmas morning....they open all the gifts and leave the floor scattered with wrapping paper for you to pick up later and when they are done...they may even say....are there any more? You worried yourself sick about making it a perfect day and for what?
OK so some of this may be a bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea.

Picture this. The family (no matter how large or small) is sitting around the dinner table. The room is decorated with pine, pine cones and other things from nature and not from the store. The glow of candles fill the room. A prayer is said to whomever that family chooses to pray to. Not a prayer from the Bible, but a prayer from the heart. Instead of playing the x-box or downloading tunes to the IPod, board games are played, cookies are baked and maybe everyone sits down to watch an old Christmas movie. Sound too old fashioned? Not possible in this day and age? I think it is possible. I want Simplicity. I want Peace. What about you? Do you want a commercialized Christmas wrapped up with a big red bow or do you want to make memories that actually mean something?

You know.....I don't remember what I got for Christmas when I was 10 years old. But I do remember going to my grandparents over the holidays and spending time with them and it was a nice quiet time I can reflect back on. I remember one year I I went skating at a pond on Christmas day. I don't remember if I got those skates for Christmas or not. Those are the good type of memories.

Ya know that old saying....I wish I knew then what I know now? I think we all say that at one time or another. And I really do wish I knew then what I know now. I'd have lived a different type of life that what I did live and not bought into the latest fad and not worried so much about keeping up with the Jone's. I'd have lived more in the moment than for the future.

What I'm trying to say is that we don't have to fall into that trap....that trap of buy, buy, buy and gimmee, gimmee, gimmee. Do you really think that when you are taking that last breath of life that you are going to be thinking to yourself....I wish I'd bought little Johnny that bicycle for Christmas when he was 8 years old? I think it's going to go more like this....did I do what I was meant to accomplish in this life? Because I believe we all come here for a reason with lessons to learn. Whether it's to learn to have patience, compassion for our fellow beings, or learn to trust...eventually we figure it out. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. There is no coincidence or fate or chance in my humble opinion. We grow, we learn, we love and we die (go home). The End.
Peace to you all.

5 comments:

  1. that was a wig on him, the same wig I had on for halloween:) I felt the same way you are talking about last year. I made the kids slow down and take the time to be thankful for the gifts they get, only holiday music and we watched the movie "A Christmas Story" i love that movie. I do need some differant traditions. I feel the same as you for the most part. i still dont even understand what we are celebrating. I guess I will learn at church this year

    ReplyDelete
  2. I tried to say something simular to this on my own blog yesterday. Because I - like you - think the holidays have become too commercialised, and too much about how much you spend and how good the things you buy, decorate with, bake, etc are. And it shouldn't be. I'd love what you said about... The proper family meal with traditional decorations and more emphasis on the time you're spending together than anything else... The kind of day that will stick in your memory forever.

    That's why I can't give people a straight answer when they ask me what I want for Christmas. Because what I want cant be brough in a store, and it's what they can buy for me that they're interested in hearing about.

    ReplyDelete
  3. First off... I'm coming to your house for Christmas.

    Actually, I have been working on this same issue for years. And we have made inroads. I have been making almost all the gifts I give, cut way back on the number of gifts and recipients, and simplified the whole season.

    Last year was very peaceful. A few handmade gifts, some home-cooked meals, and lots of quiet time just enjoying each other, reading or doing a puzzle.

    This year will be even quieter. Neither of the girls can come home for the holidays (although youngest is coming to visit in January) so it is just Studly and me and the dogs. I'm not setting up a tree, but having a few choice decorations around.

    Thank goodness you will be doing the cooking and candle lighting. I'm really looking forward to it... thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just re-read your post. I think it is a beautiful post:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I so agree. You know that...you read the message I put in my Christmas cards this year. I like to keep it simple too. I try to find as many quiet simple moments during these next 30 some days as possible.

    ReplyDelete