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Life is to be a celebration! |
As I wrote about Father’s Day Monday, it struck me as funny
that even as far back as the 1930s, the cry was going out that holidays were just
about Big Business. It was seen as just another
method to pressure people into buying greeting cards, gifts, and expensive
meals out. Charlie Brown wasn’t the
first to say it. It had already been a
complaint for decades. However, it does
seem to be getting worse every year, as is evident in my essay Blacker Thursday
as we looked at how the traditional Black Friday began at 9PM Thanksgiving
Day. It’s all about the big bucks and
trying to make bigger profits than the year before.
Holidays, to me, are special days. They are meant to slow us down and reflect on
family, friends, and history. They should
be celebrations, not simply another day, business as usual. Actually, they shouldn’t be about business at
all.
As a people, we chase after money way too much. It started out with just a couple of
businesses believing they can get the jump on the others by opening when
everyone else was off on a picnic. The
sad thing is they were right. People love
spending money as much as they love making it.
Shopping is the national pastime and people can’t avoid going into a
store even for one day. The rest of Big
Business quickly followed suit and now there is not a day, even Christmas, when
someone isn’t open somewhere.
The federal government will give certain days off to their
employees. Of course, if you’re a
politician these days quadruple. However,
banks and government offices are closed on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and even
Columbus Day. They just shut down. I’m actually glad the banks close as I’m
allowed to hold on to my money a day longer.
Still, I think everyone should be allowed to take the day off. Will the economy collapse if the world takes
a real holiday here and there? Wouldn’t
it be better for our emotional and mental health?
Several years ago, I made that very decision for
myself. I don’t work holidays. They could schedule me, but they knew I wasn’t
going to be there. Furthermore, so as
not to be a hypocrite, I don’t go anywhere where other people had to work. We don’t go shopping. We don’t go to the movies. We enjoy family and friends and if we forgot
something that we needed, we do without.
There are no last minute, I forgot purchases. I will not be the reason someone else has to
work and miss time with their loved ones.
People need time with their families more than they need whatever is on
sale in the department stores.
I think it’s hilarious that those who are given Labor Day
off are the ones who work the least. Life
needs more celebrations and less drudgery.
We only make it through once and I don’t plan on dying on the job. There is nothing wrong with working. I firmly believe that if you don’t work, you
shouldn’t eat. I am not a fan of our
current welfare programs that keep lazy moochers at home and poor politicians
in office. However, life is not about
work; it’s about living. I suggest we
take the time off while we can before time runs out. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.
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For Further Reading ~ Christmas Ghost Town
Thanks for visiting The Mess!
It's funny that there's such a hullabaloo about Black Friday. The fact of the matter is that Black Friday was no more profitable than most other shopping days until recently. It just shows the power of the media that so many believe otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI also don't take days off. I find that I need to take every day I can to the fullest and write my heart out. It'll all work out eventually.
-Peter
www.debelit.com
I must admit, I write every day, as well. However, it's at my pace and my time. There is a big difference and I wish everyone was able to make it so. Thanks for visiting and commenting, Peter. Was good to see you.
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