The holidays are upon us! However, from my vantage point,
they started in August with constant reminders that Halloween was
approaching. Halloween comes in second to Christmas in money spent.
Thanksgiving comes next, but that holiday focuses mostly on food. I love
Thanksgiving because it does seem to remind us to be thankful, a
welcome relief from what comes next – the Christmas crazies.
“Joy
to the World” seems to have a new interpretation. It used to be focused
on simple gifts, possibly homemade, a gathering of friends and family
and the ritual of attending one’s church of choice. And believe me, I
know there are still many who are involved in these practices. What
seems to have grown exponentially is the incessant messages about retail
purchases that will bring you happiness once you have them.
Black
Friday is fast becoming another holiday. I have watched individuals
slugging their way through crowds in order to get what they believe to
be a deep discount on an item they want. There have been reports of
people having tug of wars over a TV set or computer, and then there’s
the nut bags that put a tent outside the store and camp out so they can
be the first ones inside.
Am I sounding
judgmental? Yes, I am, but I really need an explanation as to how we got
to this place. I truly believe we have become consumed with
consumerism. I doubt whether people camp out in front of a homeless
shelter so they can be the first to volunteer as soon as the doors open.
Research shows that altruism far outweighs buying something when it
comes to lasting happiness. Our brains get giddy with delight when we
first get what we thought we had to have. But it soon passes and then we
need something else to get that that endorphin high.
Do
I think we should wear shrouds and live in mud huts without any
connection to the world? No, I seek the comforts of home, and I have
technology that allows me to be current and connected. My greatest fear
is that we are losing our “souls to sales.” The ultimate irony is that
all the stuff being sold will go on sale and cost less as the holiday
approaches. Most importantly, are we in control of our buying power, or
are all the seductive ads making us their slaves?
Read more: GET A LIFE: Don’t lose your soul to sales - News - Wicked Local Wareham - Wareham, MA
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