I read an article someone wrote about how marriage "isn't for him". It's for the person he's marrying.
This past year I made my own realization, similar to his.
The holidays aren't for me.
I don't think I even believe in the screwed up history behind all of them anymore.
All my life I've just been celebrating each one and going along with the traditions.
This year, they just didn't feel right.
I didn't feel the "Christmas spirit". I didn't feel exceptionally thankful. I'm not proud of my country. I don't even know what you're supposed to feel for halloween or easter, but nothing was as it used to be.
All year, I'm thankful.
All year, I'm giving.
All year, I appreciate my family, my friends, and my significant other.
And all year, I express these things.
I continue to follow each tradition for the people that I share them with. Not for me.
I don't need a special day for those things.
I know there are reasons beyond eating candy, turkey, and eggs, and giving gifts and shooting fireworks.
I know Christmas is "supposed" to be about Christ.
I know Independence Day should make me feel proud about my country, but honestly...
I don't believe in everything the bible says and I surely don't believe in everything said about/by/for this country.
I am grateful for what I've been able to experience in my life so far.
Whether it was granted to me by a divine being or fatefully pieced together by the miracle of atoms and evolution or some mixture of all of it,
I don't need Sundays to go to church. I'll pray/worship/meditate whoever, whenever and wherever I feel necessary.
It upsets me that in October, there are Christmas decorations already set out in the stores.
It upsets me that after a day that's supposedly about being thankful for what we have, people trample each other to buy more crap.
It upsets me that children grow up confused about the Easter Bunny, but even more so that there are children who starve. Hard-working children who wake up at 5 am to go to work, that may not have the luxury of knowing what an Easter Bunny even is.
Religion upsets me.
Politics upset me.
Entitlement upsets me.
The media and entertainment and all those people who would do ANYTHING just to tear someone else's life to pieces for any amount of money, upset me.
But what can I do?
I can write.
I can talk.
I can read.
I can think critically and think for myself.
I can be selfless and honest.
And hopefully one day I can teach someone else to do the same.
And teach them to teach others.
I'm tired of blindly following tradition and feeding into society and greed and hate.
I'm tired of "holidays".
- Mouse
