It's that time of year again. Time to get together with family and friends, and celebrate the spirit of the holidays. What is the holiday spirit these days, though?
What are people embracing these days? What are they thankful for?
I am thankful for my family - I'm glad that I get to spend time with them. I will also be celebrating all the success that 2007 brought - everything good that happened.
They say this is the season to forgive and forget, be merry and giving. I always try my best to spread some cheer, be it dropping off candy canes at work or sending Christmas cards. I guess I have to admit, it's getting harder and harder each year to keep up the holiday spirit.
I'm not sure if it has to do with getting older, and everyone else getting older and being laden with more and more responsibilities. Or perhaps it's because everything costs so much these days - there isn't much left over for goodwill. I've mentioned rising prices in a previous post. But even if someone does partake in the giving, there doesn't seem to be much joy at the receiving end.
I've been warned that a lot of people are somewhat spoiled, so if they do receive anything during the holidays, it could be seen simply as icing on the cake. I wonder why people have come to view the holidays as a time where they will be given presents, and feel no appreciation for the gifts.
Is it because of the constant advertising? You hear it on the radio, see it on TV - sales here, sales there, sales everywhere, just in time for Christmas shopping. So maybe people are assuming that gifts received were from the bargain bin? That's a terrible thought - the assumption, I mean.
This sort of perspective is getting more common though - you can see it in every aspect of life. With rising prices, a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. (One example is daycare - if you have a kid and need to work, you might pay $1000/week for daycare for one child!) Because of tight budgets, people are less generous and there is less to go around in general.
Sad. But I guess there's not much we can do about it. Oh well.
Here's hoping that you have a Merry Christmas, filled with joy and happiness. Let's hope that everyone is able to find some peace and goodwill this holiday season.
What are people embracing these days? What are they thankful for?
I am thankful for my family - I'm glad that I get to spend time with them. I will also be celebrating all the success that 2007 brought - everything good that happened.
They say this is the season to forgive and forget, be merry and giving. I always try my best to spread some cheer, be it dropping off candy canes at work or sending Christmas cards. I guess I have to admit, it's getting harder and harder each year to keep up the holiday spirit.
I'm not sure if it has to do with getting older, and everyone else getting older and being laden with more and more responsibilities. Or perhaps it's because everything costs so much these days - there isn't much left over for goodwill. I've mentioned rising prices in a previous post. But even if someone does partake in the giving, there doesn't seem to be much joy at the receiving end.
I've been warned that a lot of people are somewhat spoiled, so if they do receive anything during the holidays, it could be seen simply as icing on the cake. I wonder why people have come to view the holidays as a time where they will be given presents, and feel no appreciation for the gifts.
Is it because of the constant advertising? You hear it on the radio, see it on TV - sales here, sales there, sales everywhere, just in time for Christmas shopping. So maybe people are assuming that gifts received were from the bargain bin? That's a terrible thought - the assumption, I mean.
This sort of perspective is getting more common though - you can see it in every aspect of life. With rising prices, a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. (One example is daycare - if you have a kid and need to work, you might pay $1000/week for daycare for one child!) Because of tight budgets, people are less generous and there is less to go around in general.
Sad. But I guess there's not much we can do about it. Oh well.
Here's hoping that you have a Merry Christmas, filled with joy and happiness. Let's hope that everyone is able to find some peace and goodwill this holiday season.
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