So it’s that time of year. Yup, the big C word. no, not that C word! Christmas! I will probably lose most of you reading this due to the fact I am not your average human that celebrates the big happy-go-lucky coca-cola guy. Why? For starters, the gender of this so-called jolly person leaves much to the imagination of being male and if any of you have dated a male generally they are shocking gift-givers. “You brought me a new alarm clock, when I have one on my phone and Fitbit, wow, how genuinely thoughtful of you, because I said I keep missing my alarm, how nice”. Really? The big red trespasser who watches me sleeping is male?
I am also very concerned about this red guys every expanding waistline, because how does he manage to fit down the chimneys and back up again after all those cookies and beer? If he is going to drop any presents off shouldn’t it be his weight loss program? That’s where the true magic is.
Ok, so there is no bearded, grey hair, rounded dude riding reindeer on my roof. A shame really, I was looking forward to his weight loss plan. So what’s this time of year all about then? Christ? The birth of Christ? Well, each to their own beliefs, and I am not about to judge whether or not you want to believe in the birth of another white guy with crazy special abilities. This is where I roll my eyes. If that were true, then please tell me how Star Wars ornaments became the celebratory item to bear on your tree. Was Luke Skywalker Christ? I knew it!
Point is that I celebrate Summer Solstice, a time to give thanks to our sun that gives us warmth and helps the plants to grow for the air we breathe and the food we eat to provide nourishment. Yet why is there so much stigma and eyes rolled when I mention this being a festivity I celebrate? Why is there so much mass production at this time of year for ONE DAY? We damage our planet, put pressure on ourselves and others, and for some weird reason, no one stops to question it all. People complain or make excuses but nothing is really done to change any of it. We still celebrate a 1,687-year-old Christian belief.
It is said it’s not even about religion but to spend time with family. My question is why is this not being achieved throughout the year? Why has it been approved that this one day has to be the pressure sauce day of everyone coming together?
I come from a disconnected family. When my poppa passed away sadly a lot of us went our separate ways. I have a younger sister who doesn’t have children of her own and I don’t speak with my parents due to years of dysfunction. I separated from my children’s fathers so this time of year can be tough, and for me lonely at times. It isn’t just me that feels this way a lot of people put an incredible amount of exhaustion physically and mentally to serve perfection (whatever that means). The suicide rate rises and the will to end it all becomes stronger with every egg nog recipe we have to obtain.
So what are we doing? What are we celebrating? Is it how to decorate our homes for a house and garden magazine? Is it quality family time that should be made throughout the year instead of that one special day catching up with grandma? Is it the present opening that took you to near insolvency to the gather, just to watch your children, joyfully open? I don’t know about you but when I was a kid I think I jumped up screaming when I got a scented pencil. Kids these days get given a Xbox smile, say thank you and yet still expect more. Trust me I know what it’s like to not get the cabbage patch doll because my parents couldn’t afford it or the barbie I didn’t get just on principle. Or the fact that I had to eat Christmas mince pies with dried fruit in them. What loss have these children had to appreciate that Xbox?
So I sound like the Grinch (mind you the Grinch liked Christmas in the end). I think rightly so. I don’t feel that we have an understanding of what this time is really for or what religion or culture we are even providing it for. Have we thought about being an inclusive culture-accepting country if we only celebrate one religious viewpoint? Why should I teach my children the sleigh-riding horror story when there are so many other beautiful wonders and beliefs every time of the year? What about Rohatsu? The time of buddhas enlightenment to find peace by sitting under a fig tree and meditating. How peaceful does that sound instead of the busy hype to buy plastic tinsel? Maybe even decorations to celebrate summer considering we live in the Southern hemisphere and have family BBQs anyway. Doesn’t that make more sense? If it is about family time then let’s call it what it is. Why do we constantly endure the holiday madness and complain about it when we don’t even know what we are doing it for?
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