Self Inflicting Pain
If I see one more article about holiday stress I think I may scream!!!!!!!!!
Yep, I’m caught in the trap of automatically reacting to something.
Sound familar?
Like everything, the “holiday season” is but an illusion. Did you have any say into this idea that from Halloween until New Year’s that you were supposed to run around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to buy the ”right” gifts, food, decorations..and so on and so on???
Did anyone ask your input into whether Dec 25 was a better day for you than say, August 2?
And how about the turkey and the pig? Did anyone ask their opinion about being served up in excess come the end of the year?
Well, no one asked me. So for me and my family, we do what we choose.
My father died on what’s known in this country as “black Friday.” On the day that millions of people are trampling each other to spend money they don’t have on stuff that no one really NEEDS, I was saying good-bye to my Daddy. I was 24 and got my first lesson in perspective and choice.
Had I waited until Christmas to buy something for my dad or show up at the house ’cause we “had” to, I’d have been S.O.L. Christmas didn’t come for Daddy that year.
Why do we wait until some arbitrary day on the calendar to show appreciation? Because the retailers tell us to?
I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day–my husband and I tell each other every day how much we love and appreciate the other.
I don’t get wrapped up in birthdays or anniversaries–the next one isn’t always promised, so we celebrate our family in little ways. Dinners out at someone’s favorite restaurant, gifts “just because”, vacations and short get-a-ways, because life’s simply too short.
Showing love and appreciation doesn’t require good credit or lots of cash. Nor do you prove your love by the amount of stress and strain that you put forth in creating the “perfect” meal or holiday party or buying your kid something because “everyone else has it.”
The only person asking you to do, do, do, is YOU. If you didn’t lift a finger or spend a dime, it wouldn’t make you any less the magnificent creation that you are.
If what you are doing doesn’t create peace–STOP. Otherwise, please keep your complaining about how stressful this time of year is to yourself.
Your stress is self-inflicted.
Choose peace.
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Let’s Connect!
Sometimes we get too caught up in the process that forget the purpose and intent behind the celebration. When I was married I remember asking my then wife not to but me anything for Chritmas but to donate what she would have spent on me to my favorite charity. That very same year I had an idea of working at a soup kitchen to serve those who we call the less fortunate because I had been so richly blessed that I wanted to give back. Wow, the reaction I got was the opposite of what I was expecting. She couldn't handle this concept and it ultimately turned into an argument. Why Christmas and what's the reason for the season.
It's all in the name "Christ" "Mas"; a massing of Christians to celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but we have deluded things so much that it's easy to take on the stress of buying and forget the true meaning of the season. God made the ultimate sacrifice, his son Jesus so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. He nevered intended this to be a season of stress, debt and all the other things it has become.
Santa Claus, I'm not sure how this entity came to be but this concept takes us even further away from how God intended us to act in celebration of the gift he gave us. I agree with Lisa that many celebrations have lost their meaning and people have come to "expect" something versus being thankful for the "grace" we were and continue to receive each day. For those reading this entry examine your situation (s), set the record straight, change your behaviors and enjoy this celebtation of the birth of Jesus.
yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!
while i no longer share your Christian views, D, your comment reminds me of the simplicity of the Christmas story. Two ordinary people in a stable bringing their son into the world. no gucci, no maxed out credit cards, no boxes, bags or bows. as a parent, i'm sure you remember the magic of the birth of your children. if nothing else, can't we simply celebrate life this time of year? the magic, the mystery, the beauty of life itself?
and be grateful.
i am grateful for you. for your friendship, encouragement & never-ending support. for believing in me when very few people did (do).
i celebrate the gift that is YOU. what could be more grand?
Lisa Lisa – You’re right. We shouldn’t wait for a specific day to celebrate/acknowledge our love for someone. My kids and I have a “thing”. Whenever we end a cell phone conversation (even if there’s emotion involved or I’ve just said no to a sleepover), we always say “I love you”. Sometimes it’s a grumbly “I love you,” but we say it none the less. For all we know, it may the last words we exchange and we know that no matter what, we love each other. Some may think it’s silly and contrived, but we don’t care. We say it because in the shadows of our mind we know life is fragile and temporary. If we have to “force” an “I love you” to put the proper perspective on life, then that’s a good thing. We say it each time we end a conversation to the point that if it’s “unsaid”, it glares like a neon sign in the night. The silence is so loud that it shatters the moment and we are pushed into the reality of our love. Nothing is so powerful that it will shake the strength of our love.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
Alex,
Welcome! I am honored and humbled that you stopped by and offered your appreciation. It’s a pleasure to “meet” you.
Lisa
The Resident Diva