I am hearing a lot of debate about stores being open on Thanksgiving day. I have never been one to do the whole "black Friday" shopping thing- I hate crowds and I hate shopping. So forcing myself to refrain has never been an issue. I think I ventured out on a Friday after Thanksgiving many years ago with my mom and sister. It was awful, and quite honestly I didn't see anything I couldn't have lived without. The idea of leaving after the turkey tryptophan effect kicks in? Um, no thanks.
When is enough stuff enough? How much crap do we really need? I feel as if most of our societies happiness problems rest on this one premise- be thankful for what you have and look at what you have around you, instead of looking at what you don't have or what you still want. It's the whole "glass is half empty" syndrome. It's the same with our homes. It's easy to get caught up in the project list, "when I finish this" or "remodel that". I do it. I am totally guilty of this. The problem is that is sucks the joy out of what you have already accomplished. If I focus too long on the stages of building out our library it sucks the joy out of noticing my redone kitchen. Always looking to the next big thing takes away from appreciating what is already there/complete.
Not only that, but us schlepping out to the stores on a day that we are supposed to spend with family is a bit like answering the phone when your child is in the middle of telling you a great story. What message do you send? That something else takes priority over them. Is a flat screen TV from Walmart really more important than spending time with your aging parents? Not for me.
This year Christmas is going to be smaller than usual for our family. We have never gone into debt over a holiday, and with Travis in training for his new unit we are living on a straight 40 hour work week check- no overtime. It's all good, and honestly I am liking having to get a little creative on gifts and keeping it simple. Even if the extra money were there, I would prefer to spend Thanksgiving and a few days after just hanging out with my family and being thankful for everything we have.
The glass is half full and that is plenty enough for me.
When is enough stuff enough? How much crap do we really need? I feel as if most of our societies happiness problems rest on this one premise- be thankful for what you have and look at what you have around you, instead of looking at what you don't have or what you still want. It's the whole "glass is half empty" syndrome. It's the same with our homes. It's easy to get caught up in the project list, "when I finish this" or "remodel that". I do it. I am totally guilty of this. The problem is that is sucks the joy out of what you have already accomplished. If I focus too long on the stages of building out our library it sucks the joy out of noticing my redone kitchen. Always looking to the next big thing takes away from appreciating what is already there/complete.
Not only that, but us schlepping out to the stores on a day that we are supposed to spend with family is a bit like answering the phone when your child is in the middle of telling you a great story. What message do you send? That something else takes priority over them. Is a flat screen TV from Walmart really more important than spending time with your aging parents? Not for me.
This year Christmas is going to be smaller than usual for our family. We have never gone into debt over a holiday, and with Travis in training for his new unit we are living on a straight 40 hour work week check- no overtime. It's all good, and honestly I am liking having to get a little creative on gifts and keeping it simple. Even if the extra money were there, I would prefer to spend Thanksgiving and a few days after just hanging out with my family and being thankful for everything we have.
The glass is half full and that is plenty enough for me.
My sentiments EXACTLY!! Great post! Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving Day shared with your fabulous family & friends! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm sharing your post on my Facebook page!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are sharing! Thank you!
DeleteWonderful post! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteAmen! What a wonderful post....my thoughts exactly! Thank you for putting those words and thoughts out there.
ReplyDeleteawe! nicely said! we are so blessed, it is sometimes necessary to step back from the commercialism of it all! happy Thanksgiving :)
ReplyDeleteSo true. It's family that counts. I like holidays that are simple and fun and not so extravagant.
ReplyDelete