posted December 25, 2007 07:06 PM         

When the cold winds howl throughout the land, the animals that do not hunt or set aside, go into a deep sleep..that they may not suffer so for lack. Those that stick around meet another winter, an unforgiving one. But we are the forgiving winter.

Man doesn't hibernate. He's a pretty active species (except in the North American fast food belt.) And once upon a time, the numbers and populations of his habitations grew until soon, the resources of the land were enough for some and all, but in different portions as each was able..certainly not enough for each to have all he wanted.

As their settlements became cities, the people soon learned what a stranger was..in their own tribe. It wasn't long until man knew of "the poor." Now these poor may have been poor and poorly for a variety of reasons: sickness, laziness, old age, infancy

But the fact that there were poor..seemed very strange to the people of the land. Strange because they'd never known a time before then when people starved to death in front of others who were fat.

As normal as we find that scenario today, early tribal people simply could not have fathomed such a thing. If one ate, all ate. Hunters first, then so on down through the tribe. But no one starved. Everyone had a crust to share with the bottom most.

Because of this intimate history we all once shared, and because we couldn't stand to watch each other suffer, a tradition arose.

A brief return every winter to our tribal nature. A season of Holy Days during which we practiced the best of what we were capable of, with whomever we encountered.

A time during which we gave to ensure the survival of our omega class..those that allowed us all the luxury of feeling more important, simply by being there..less fortunate than we.

(This to folks who claim that it was pagan god worship that started the whole tradition of celebration in Winter. No, that was later. At first it was no doubt more personal.)

And here we are today, still celebrating that tradition of giving.

It comes down to us as our Holy Days, which are also celebrated around this time of year throughout civilization (with few exceptions.) It has become our way of reestablishing that we are indeed human, and of keeping our hearts from having to watch another suffer needlessly before our eyes.

And yet, one tends to wonder if the intent is the same. Has this too been reshaped into something other than what it used to be?

Earlier I hinted at the idea of testing the real nature of our "Giving Holidays" by noting the number of people that hint at (or directly tell us)what they want vs. the number of people who ask us what we might like.

This seems a valid test of society's trend in relation to the holiday..be it a giving or wanting trend.

Perhaps if you have observations on what you've seen..you might share them.

Happy Holidays..however you celebrate them,

daf

posted December 26, 2007 11:48 AM         

I was surprised this christmas season by the amount of customers that had a written description of the exact item they were instructed to purchase for their loved one. It was a very noticeable increase, it seemed, from prior years.

I felt for these people, as I saw the stress and disappointed exhaustion on their faces as I had to apologize that we didn't have anything as specific as they were looking for. I really tried with all my might to help them too, searching and searching for something that might be close enough to pass. I thought of them trudging through more crowded stores in a weary, anxious last-minute desperation. It really made me sad, thinking of the expectations we place on each other and ourselves. The need for perfection that seems to override the cherishing and charitible spirit of Christmas.

I wondered on how many givers/receivers out there experienced an anti-climatic Christmas. Which is better, instructing what to get or asking someone what they would want? Asking still produces a list. Either way, it builds an expectation and places a burden that might not have otherwise been.

I think a lot of women believe they are helping their husbands by telling them what to get, feeling that this way he won't have to strain with decisions. She knows he will get her something anyway...she knows he will be lost and confused. So, it doesn't necessarily mean she is being selfish-- it can also be with thought and caring for the other. It's sad as well how initial empathy back-fires.
Hopefully it comes down to acceptance, awareness of effort...gratitude.
In the end, in the moment of giving/receiving, a person's outlook~ the love and cherish in one's heart is what matters.
Was it there?, is what I wonder on.

posted December 28, 2007 06:39 PM         

quote:

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I was surprised this christmas season by the amount of customers that had a written description of the exact item they were instructed to purchase for their loved one. It was a very noticeable increase, it seemed, from prior years.

I felt for these people, as I saw the stress and disappointed exhaustion on their faces as I had to apologize that we didn't have anything as specific as they were looking for. I really tried with all my might to help them too, searching and searching for something that might be close enough to pass. I thought of them trudging through more crowded stores in a weary, anxious last-minute desperation. It really made me sad, thinking of the expectations we place on each other and ourselves. The need for perfection that seems to override the cherishing and charitible spirit of Christmas.

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HALLELUJA! Oh, I so agree. I think it is so sad. I can't stand the commercialism of Christmas anymore. It should be about loving and sharing, getting together with families and friends. Not about what you want.

I couldn't believe some of my relative's Christmas lists. Long lists with expensive items.

My Christmas list contained only 2 items which were of necessity. Pajamas and long cotton socks.

It is so hard shopping for people, wanting to please them, and worrying so much about it, thinking it is not enough or not what they would like. We should be happy to get anything at all.

I can't stand department stores, lines, artifical flourescent lighting or whatever de-energizing lighting they use in stores. I just cringe when I walk into one.