Happy Non-Denominational Winter Holidays (the Days that Lead)

So much tension and anxiety in the days that lead up to them.

For some people, these times (the "Holidays") are the most fulfilling, or among the most fulfilling in the year (sometimes for misguided reasons). People tend to feel a sense of purpose, among other things: peace, joy, happiness, business and busyness. That's fine. It's good to have something with which one can occupy their times as opposed to just sitting on their asses. Though it'd be a better use of time to do these "nice" things throughout the entire year rather than wait for this last month or so. Of course, these same kind of people tend to forget what these Holidays are supposed to be about. Namely, helping people out and being good to people. It can't just be about gifts. Regardless of what Holiday one observes, they all generally teach the same thing: be good to people. The actual origins have been buried in glitter and money but I like to think that we as humans can look past something shiny and pull up our sleeves and dig for that seemingly dormant meaning. I hope I'm not deluding myself into thinking something that isn't true. As it stands however, there seem to be misguided people doing seemingly nice things for unsuitable reasons.

And there are those for who these times are among the most painful of the year. Isolation, misery, abandonment, alienation, confusion, pessimism. That's a sad story right there, one to which I'm sympathetic and empathetic. As such, I believe it's pretty stupid to say it's bad to be sad considering one needs the opportunity to experience a wide range of emotions every now and then. As such, interfering with the process is bad. Because interrupting it, most often this comes from a third party who sticks their foot in their mouth- something with which I am familiar... literally (don't ask). You can't really blame foot-mouth for trying but you can't reward them for being unwilling to understand, or even try. As such, whenever one isn't celebrating a holiday, my first instinct isn't to push them to celebrate Christmas with me. Actually, I don't do anything to change their mind. If someone is sitting out a winter holiday, then that's fine. I don't see why anyone should be forced or influenced to partake in a bastardized version of a holiday now defunct. I say defunct because (for example) Christmas was never about gifts. It was (and should still be) about being a good person.

Others simply don't care either for either camp (those who are all about the gifts and grandiose façades of benevolence; and those who are about not bastardizing everything) and forge something different for themselves. Despite the fact that I'm a bit of a fan of Festivus and Decemberween, I'm probably part of this group of people who "reject" (for want of a better term) these holiday seasons. This doesn't make me an anti-_______, it just means I don't see the need to celebrate a bastardized and commercialized holiday. Sure, gifts are nice but I'd rather be treated with respect and such. And I don't reject it for the sake of being a rapscallion, I genuinely do it because it creates a fresh alternative to chipping away at my sanity.

There are aspects of the season that I enjoy. Namely, Elvis' "Blue Christmas" and Radiohead's cover of "Winter Wonderland". I'd personally like to see a Neil Young Christmas:
Claus the Killer
Christmas Man
Long May You Run, Rudolph
Cinnamon Elf
Dreidel by the River
Cowgirl in the Snow
Every Wise Man needs a Maid
Only Gifts Can Break your Wallet
Down by the Chimney
The Eggnog and the Damage Done
Like a Mistletoe
After the Gift Rush
Looking for a Latke
My My Hey Hey (Out of the Snow)
I Believe in You, Santa
Rudolph and Out
Though I'm not a big fan of radio stations playing endless streams of Christmas music. I say Christmas music because I haven't encountered stations that play songs about Channukah, los Tres Reyes Magos, winter solstice, etc. Something's fishy.

Aside from the miniscule musical aspect, I like the fact that holidays are supposed to be about being good to one another. I'd rather see everyone be good to each other the whole year but I suppose holidays are a start.

It seems they start extremely early. Early bird catches the worm? Or do you not want to get stuck buying stuff at the last minute? Prodding and poking towards gifts that'll be under-appreciated and unappreciated a week later?

I do wish "the season" would stop being so commercialized. I think that's the part that bugs me the most. I can understand that as humans we seek validation and appreciation through material goods but it'd be nice if the emphasis on gifts was downplayed. I'd rather see a human approach which, ironically, Festivus takes. Should we all celebrate Festivus? No. Celebrate what you feel like celebrating. Just be good.

I know I'll wing it, as usual. I'll also glare at decorations and people... in a futile effort to stem the tide of the ongoing bastardization of what should be about humans, not gifts. But as a poor college student who rambles, writes, and draws in a less than spectacular fashion... I can't webuild Wome in a day, Centuwion. I mean "rebuild Rome in a day, Centurion."

Not by myself anyway.

Have a good one.