“What to give or not to give?” That is always the question, the question that we are faced with every time that Christmas rolls around. Here is my philosophy as of late: If you really need to think hard about what to get for someone, then they probably do not need anything. They really don’t need that extra frying pan, or that video game that they may or may not have. We put ourselves through so much stress at Christmas time, that we forget the true meaning of Christmas.
Consumerism is not just a word anymore; it has become a way of life. It is how we express how we feel towards someone, or indicates to us how much someone loves us. Simple math: the more you get, the more you are loved, right? We are bringing up children who do not value the simplicity of just enjoying life, the little things. During Christmas time, we will see literally hundreds of commercials about how diamond rings “Show her how much you really care.” What kind of society are we truly creating? I don’t know how you work, but for me, I am much simpler than buying a 1,2,3 carat diamond ring. I want to know that you care, by how you respect me, by how much you listen to me, by the simple way that we just are. NO piece of jewellery would ever tell me that. Actually, knowing the way that I think, I would be that one saying, “I cannot believe you wasted that much money on something that I do not need, when a simple gesture would have sufficed.” Although, that is only how I would react; I believe most women do love getting new and beautiful things.
George hit the lottery when he got me. I believe that and so does he. I don’t ask for much, just to be happy. After all, happiness is found when you are looking for it. It is sustained when you need it, and it is truly your light at the end of dark tunnels. My happiness is not bought, and it cannot be sold. It is neither easy to understand, nor difficult to understand. It is how I choose to live my life the best way that I know how, with everything that I have now. I do not have a lot, but I know that I am loved. That is all, for me, that really matters.
Those who have known me the longest would probably tell me that I have lost my marbles, and I know that I would appreciate their opinions. They have certain vantage point. They know who I was and they can experience who I am now. I was a “material girl.” And, who would not want to be like Madonna? She was, “like, totally awesome.” Let’s face it, I was only a kid when that song came out, and I didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. Besides, when you are a child (this includes being a teenager), you are a selfish little creature. You always want more. The key is to be broke, like I was when I was raising Mairi, when you have nothing to give them but answers to the questions that they all have. Sometimes, we should think about kids always wanting more as, the truest thirst for knowledge. We, as parents, are their source, and it is our job to fill their bellies with the wisdom that we have.
Last year for Christmas, George and I called our family members and asked them not to buy us anything. We asked them to donate the money instead to a charity of their choice, so that those funds would be given to people who need it more than George and I do. It was a gift-less Christmas, and, my gosh, it was awesome. George and I did the same thing. We donated money, in the names of some of our loved ones, to different charities. The thought was well-received. We still had our traditional stockings, but hardly any gifts under the tree. I got to enjoy my Christmas, and it was great.
I wish that everyone has a Happy Holiday season, and that they enjoy every moment that they have with their friends and family. Try to keeping that feeling, when you return to your place of work, by attempting to keep your Christmas spirit alive all year long. It is not only one time a year that we need to be nice to one another; it should be an everyday occurrence.
As Always,
Happy Does It! :o)
Consumerism is not just a word anymore; it has become a way of life. It is how we express how we feel towards someone, or indicates to us how much someone loves us. Simple math: the more you get, the more you are loved, right? We are bringing up children who do not value the simplicity of just enjoying life, the little things. During Christmas time, we will see literally hundreds of commercials about how diamond rings “Show her how much you really care.” What kind of society are we truly creating? I don’t know how you work, but for me, I am much simpler than buying a 1,2,3 carat diamond ring. I want to know that you care, by how you respect me, by how much you listen to me, by the simple way that we just are. NO piece of jewellery would ever tell me that. Actually, knowing the way that I think, I would be that one saying, “I cannot believe you wasted that much money on something that I do not need, when a simple gesture would have sufficed.” Although, that is only how I would react; I believe most women do love getting new and beautiful things.
George hit the lottery when he got me. I believe that and so does he. I don’t ask for much, just to be happy. After all, happiness is found when you are looking for it. It is sustained when you need it, and it is truly your light at the end of dark tunnels. My happiness is not bought, and it cannot be sold. It is neither easy to understand, nor difficult to understand. It is how I choose to live my life the best way that I know how, with everything that I have now. I do not have a lot, but I know that I am loved. That is all, for me, that really matters.
Those who have known me the longest would probably tell me that I have lost my marbles, and I know that I would appreciate their opinions. They have certain vantage point. They know who I was and they can experience who I am now. I was a “material girl.” And, who would not want to be like Madonna? She was, “like, totally awesome.” Let’s face it, I was only a kid when that song came out, and I didn’t know what the hell I was talking about. Besides, when you are a child (this includes being a teenager), you are a selfish little creature. You always want more. The key is to be broke, like I was when I was raising Mairi, when you have nothing to give them but answers to the questions that they all have. Sometimes, we should think about kids always wanting more as, the truest thirst for knowledge. We, as parents, are their source, and it is our job to fill their bellies with the wisdom that we have.
Last year for Christmas, George and I called our family members and asked them not to buy us anything. We asked them to donate the money instead to a charity of their choice, so that those funds would be given to people who need it more than George and I do. It was a gift-less Christmas, and, my gosh, it was awesome. George and I did the same thing. We donated money, in the names of some of our loved ones, to different charities. The thought was well-received. We still had our traditional stockings, but hardly any gifts under the tree. I got to enjoy my Christmas, and it was great.
I wish that everyone has a Happy Holiday season, and that they enjoy every moment that they have with their friends and family. Try to keeping that feeling, when you return to your place of work, by attempting to keep your Christmas spirit alive all year long. It is not only one time a year that we need to be nice to one another; it should be an everyday occurrence.
As Always,
Happy Does It! :o)
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