The other day someone remarked that there were only 45 days till Christmas and I thought, that can't be, it's still October....and then I realized, wait, it's November. Where in the hell did October disappear too and why on earth are they playing Christmas music already before Thanksgiving!
October was pretty much a blur for me, we were all sick, my sweet pea was battling bronchitis, my little man and the hubby kept getting colds and I was knocked over with pneumonia. And I mean literally I was out of it, I have never had pneumonia before and it was horrible, in bed for pretty much two and half weeks, zero energy....the flu isn't even as bad as this was. I still have a bad cough, but I hear that will linger for a while.
Typically we don't get very sick, so it seemed odd that during October we just couldn't stay healthy. I've restocked my vitamin C, manuka honey, and hopefully the rest of the fall/winter will be kind to us, especially since I don't really remember October.
So, now we are full swing into November and Christmas will be here before I realize or necessarily want it to. We are going to attempt something different this year, we have asked the grandparents to give "experiences" instead of giving toys to our children. We talked about it with the kids and asked if they could remember what toy was given to them last year, it took them almost a day to recall it, but when we asked what some of their favorite memories were, the response was instant and it was "experiences" they recalled, going to the movies, going places or doing things with them.
Of course, Father Christmas will bring some toys around, I'm sure, but I think this will make the holiday season a little more special and not to mention that my kids don't need any more toys or things, it is definitely not that it is not appreciated, but it seems like we are overwhelmed with "things" and the shopping culture. I read an article recently that was mentioning how some stores will be opening at 5:00 pm on Thanksgiving day for their "Black Friday" specials - how can you even call it "Black Friday" when it is happening on Thanksgiving Thursday? These stores are taking their employees from their families and what is even sadder is that consumers will go out in the droves. I don't get it.....we are conditioning our young ones to be nothing more than consumers, to spend, spend and want the latest "whatchamathing" because that will make us a better person, will give us a better life. Right? The ad definitely makes me think so.....
I hate it, because everywhere you turn, we are bombarded with reminders that it is not relationships with people that matter, but the items you accumulate. If I buy my children the "right" shoes, then that will make me a better mom and so forth. Really? And yes, there was a shoe store commercial that depicted that situation that played over and over during "back to school" month.
Do we need to be made to feel this way? Do we even care that we are being made to feel this way?
And believe me, I didn't always feel this way life - I use to think that money would definitely make me a happier person or if I had a bigger house, etc...I would somehow feel better about myself, that somehow if I just got to that next point, life would be easier.
Yet as the older I become, the more I realize what a falsehood that is, the mass accumulation of stuff will not bring me any more happiness than whatever current state of mind I am in, it is the connections with my family, and friends that bring me happiness.
And don't get me wrong, just because I feel this was doesn't mean that I
expect everyone else too or that I think anyone who purchases expensive things is horrible. I think it is the attitude behind that purchasing power, what is the driving force behind it - do you
like it because you love those things or do you like it because an ad
convinced you that it will make you somehow a better person?
I know
several people who have expensive taste, but are also some of the most
selfless people I know and they work hard for every dollar they make.
And I know some who follow trends simply because it is the "in" thing
and are selfish individuals. What bothers me, are the perceptions that
ads and society create, that somehow if you lack these things you are not "complete"
as a person.
So, I know that definitely became a rant and if you made it to the end, all I want is to make sure my children have reminders of what really matters, the relationships with the people in their lives and so I hope this Christmas, it will be filled with many experiences that my children will cherish.
"Our lives are mere flashes of light in an infinitely empty universe. In
12 years of education the most important lesson I have learned is that
what we see as “normal” living is truly a travesty of our potential. In a
society so governed by superficiality, appearances, and petty
economics, dreams are more real than anything anything in the “real
world”. Refuse normalcy. Beauty is everywhere, love is endless, and joy
bleeds from our everyday existence. Embrace it. I love all of you, all
my friends, family, and community. I am ceaselessly grateful from the
bottom of my heart for everyone. The only thing I can ask of you is to
stay free of materialism. Remember that every day contains a universe of
potential; exhaust it. Live and love so immensely that when death comes
there is nothing left for him to take. Wealth is love, music, sports,
learning, family and freedom. Above all, stay gold.”- Dominic Owen Mallary
