Do you remember? Do each of you remember the rarely paralleled sentiment tied with those few and meaningful experiences in your lives? Do you remember the “holidays"? As a young American boy or girl, there are those special days that are widely accepted occasions for unbridled joy. Christmas (recognized not by all but by many) and birthdays are the American pinnacles of celebration in popular culture, and mostly for the traditional receiving of gifts at a young age. I can remember it now, so clearly: ripping the paper off of that beautifully wrapped box knowing that what was inside very well could be… something you’ve been looking forward to for weeks or even months. Yet it goes beyond the contents of the box, or bag, or container. The excitement lies in the occasion itself, and it can be hard to let go of that instilled enjoyment.
Ever since I started paying my own bills I guess... Since the beginning of independent adulthood, I became frustrated with the pressure to conform to these packaged holidays. Part of it was probably my unwillingness to spend money, and most of it was my lack of religious allegiance (Christmas being most applicable). My hard-headedness definitely has also had an influence. I just never saw any of these occasions as necessary, only as excuses to do things. These are the times when family and friends come together and when people treat themselves and others to abnormal treats and good times.
The holidays don’t stop happening, and my growing frustration will only become worse (if I let it). So I’ve been thinking about it, and there’s a reason why I (in particular) don’t enjoy universal (or national or religious) holidays. Some don’t like holidays for religious purposes or because they don’t have many family or friends to enjoy them with. For me, the reason is a bit more complex (and perhaps conceited):
I enjoy celebrating. I really do. I love an occasion and drinking or eating or dancing to that occasion, whatever it may be. But I prefer for that occasion to be celebrating an accomplishment or victory of myself or my friends or family. When something has been achieved, the celebration is always more deserving. If you disagree, that's fine. But celebrating Christopher Columbus landing on the shores of present-day Massachusetts or the Mexicans defeating the French on the 5th of May will never be as relevant, rewarding, or valid to people like you and I as it will be to celebrate the well-deserved job promotion, the grand opening of the new storefront, or the closing on a house. It’s just a better reason to treat yo’ self. Jubilating in the wake of a tremendous deed is something we should all do as we move forward in life. It’s emotionally healthy and appropriately motivating. Yet traditional holidays also have their place.
Ever since I started paying my own bills I guess... Since the beginning of independent adulthood, I became frustrated with the pressure to conform to these packaged holidays. Part of it was probably my unwillingness to spend money, and most of it was my lack of religious allegiance (Christmas being most applicable). My hard-headedness definitely has also had an influence. I just never saw any of these occasions as necessary, only as excuses to do things. These are the times when family and friends come together and when people treat themselves and others to abnormal treats and good times.
The holidays don’t stop happening, and my growing frustration will only become worse (if I let it). So I’ve been thinking about it, and there’s a reason why I (in particular) don’t enjoy universal (or national or religious) holidays. Some don’t like holidays for religious purposes or because they don’t have many family or friends to enjoy them with. For me, the reason is a bit more complex (and perhaps conceited):
I enjoy celebrating. I really do. I love an occasion and drinking or eating or dancing to that occasion, whatever it may be. But I prefer for that occasion to be celebrating an accomplishment or victory of myself or my friends or family. When something has been achieved, the celebration is always more deserving. If you disagree, that's fine. But celebrating Christopher Columbus landing on the shores of present-day Massachusetts or the Mexicans defeating the French on the 5th of May will never be as relevant, rewarding, or valid to people like you and I as it will be to celebrate the well-deserved job promotion, the grand opening of the new storefront, or the closing on a house. It’s just a better reason to treat yo’ self. Jubilating in the wake of a tremendous deed is something we should all do as we move forward in life. It’s emotionally healthy and appropriately motivating. Yet traditional holidays also have their place.
A Polaroid taken at a Halloween party with friends, celebrated on Friday, Nov. 13th.
I’ll gladly have a few drinks for St. Patty’s Day, even though I have to Google search (every year) why St. Patrick’s Day is a thing. I’ll buy a gift for my Mom, Dad and sister when Christmas rolls around, because hey, it’s a good look. But it’s always a more noble cause to celebrate the hard work of one another, in my humble opinion.
This may be a self-centered approach to life, but is it not a recipe for a more fulfilling life?
Valentine’s Day is cool, for some people. But isn’t it always more genuine from the giver and more appreciated by the receiver to buy flowers for your significant other on any random day of the week? Is it not more rewarding to throw a house warming party after finishing that new deck than to host a Labor Day party?
So just remember: you don’t have to wait until June 19th to show your dad love. And you don’t have to look forward to July 4th to fuck with that RED, WHITE, and BLUE. If you want to celebrate your family or your country, fucking do it. *(I just LOL’ed when Shia Leboeuf appeared in my head.)* Work hard, do your thing, and play hard afterward. You might not have “off work” on a Thursday, but you can still host a barbecue in the name of a successful day.
Enjoy life! But on your own terms. So if you believe in Jesus as a Christian, get down on Christmas. If you love baked goods, look forward to National Donut Day. And if you have faith in yourself, make up your own silly holiday to celebrate with your favorite people. You won’t regret it.
- 7Ply Epic
This may be a self-centered approach to life, but is it not a recipe for a more fulfilling life?
Valentine’s Day is cool, for some people. But isn’t it always more genuine from the giver and more appreciated by the receiver to buy flowers for your significant other on any random day of the week? Is it not more rewarding to throw a house warming party after finishing that new deck than to host a Labor Day party?
So just remember: you don’t have to wait until June 19th to show your dad love. And you don’t have to look forward to July 4th to fuck with that RED, WHITE, and BLUE. If you want to celebrate your family or your country, fucking do it. *(I just LOL’ed when Shia Leboeuf appeared in my head.)* Work hard, do your thing, and play hard afterward. You might not have “off work” on a Thursday, but you can still host a barbecue in the name of a successful day.
Enjoy life! But on your own terms. So if you believe in Jesus as a Christian, get down on Christmas. If you love baked goods, look forward to National Donut Day. And if you have faith in yourself, make up your own silly holiday to celebrate with your favorite people. You won’t regret it.
- 7Ply Epic
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