yoga, books, movies, tv & too many crime procedurals – not necesarily in that order
People are often surprised that we celebrate Christmas or that I make a holiday music mix each year. After all, what do two atheists have to do with Christmas? For me growing up, Christmas wasn’t about church or Jesus. Christmas was a time when all of our family (even the extended family) got together to celebrate. It wasn’t until much later (junior high) where church became part of the holiday season. As a result, I still think of the holidays as a time for family celebration rather than religious. As to the music- just because I don’t believe in god doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy songs that express joyfulness and hope. Even if it’s inspired by something I don’t share, it’s JOY. And HOPE. If I could find a great holiday song that used the word “namaste” I totally would, because THAT’S what I think the holiday season is about.
“Namaste” is a traditional South Asian greeting which is translated as everything from ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, and ‘thank you’ to its more literal root: The Divine Light that resides in me recognizes and appreciates that same Divine Light residing within you. The last is how I use namaste. Divine Light can mean anything from spirit to God to enlightened consciousness. I choose to believe that that thing – the divine light – is that electrical spark which animates us and the shared human experience. Not the collective unconscious of Jung, but close. We are born, we live, we struggle, we experience joy, we die. Those things are what make us uniquely human and something that all humans – regardless of color or creed- share. And THAT seems like a divine light – we are each alone but simultaneously not alone because millions of others have shared these experiences, even if not in the same time or space. THAT is what I believe in.
That’s what I think the holidays are about. Sharing the good things (and sometimes even the bad things) about our human experience.
Because of that, I also believe in dharma and karma. Not the serious Buddhist reincarnation kind of karma, where your life’s actions determine your path to enlightenment via punishment-by-life-as-an-ant, or the idea of dharma as your life’s path being determined for you.
I believe that we all have a path but I also believe that we choose that path every day. The decisions we make create the life we lead and therefore CHOOSE to lead- dharma is simply the acknowledgement that none of our actions happen in a vacuum. My take on karma is similar- it shares the bones but not the elaborate theory. I think that all of our actions are energy in the world. Putting out positive energy can only lead to good things. That’s not to say that you never do/say/think bad things (because we do) but I also don’t believe that having one shitty day makes a house fall on your head. Sometimes bad things happen to people and they are in no way to blame – the number one reason that Law of Attraction stuff is bullshit. You can’t control the actions of others – only the reactions that YOU have to them. I fail to see how trying to put the positive spin on things, or being kind just to be kind, can ever lead to bad things.
So have happy holidays. I hope for health and wellness for you and yours, an ease to suffering for all, and joy to offset your sorrow.
Yeah, yeah, I know there are people who think “Happy Holidays” is designed to “Take Christ out of Christmas.” To those people I say: think about how many holidays are celebrated in December. Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year, Solstice. There’s more than one holiday. Hence happy HOLIDAYS. So suck it. Also, please do not get me started on the Xmas debate. See Snopes or Wikipedia and KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT before you start bitching about that X.
On a different note, I’ve been WICKED busy at the new part time job. While I’m enjoying it, it’s been a while since I’ve worked 60 hours a week. As a result, not all the holiday baking is done yet. I haven’t had a day off (no work at all) since two weeks ago Wednesday. Luckily I’m off Christmas Day (both jobs) and we’ve been invited to share Christmas Eve with some friends in town. If I have my way, part of Christmas Day will involve Avatar and possibly Sherlock Holmes. We’ll see.
The mountains continue to be the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen – reinforced daily on my drive to work. It’s hard to believe I’ve been out here for a full year now. While it’s been a big change from Saginaw, the change has been entirely for the better. The town is lovely, if quirky, and the weather can’t be beat. I’ve enjoyed the change of pace from living in the city and the views from anywhere in town can’t be beat. Becoming a Colorado resident was a great way to start the last year.
This year, back in retail for the holidays, I’m surprised to find that customers have been generally happy and cheerful – no crankiness presented as yet. Since we’re getting down to crunch time, I hope the trend continues.
I hope EVERYONE has a safe and wonderful holiday season!
