I am not talking about the pressure of your schedule, but ABC - Anniversaries, Birthdays and Christmas (or any other festivity, especially if you
are not even religious). Do they really, I mean really matter? Are they not just a repeat multiple of days since x, y, or z occurred? If you don't give
a toss about your own birthday or anniversary (and why should X times 365 be of any significance? - every day is precious!), you may be surprised
to learn that others are not particularly bothered about theirs either. Why not take the bull by the horn and tell your friends and family that you no
longer wish to be tyrannized (you may want to phrase it a little more delicately for the sensitive of temperament) by dates and wish to withdraw
from the obligations imposed by some idea born in the mists of time, and refuse to give or receive cards and presents for the mere reason that it is a custom.
Gifts should come from the heart and be meaningful, and not be prompted by custom, based on a day in the calendar. If you have a great idea about
something so-and-so would like, and you would love to make them happy, and it is the 4th of June (with no connection to any ABC) then just give.
Don't expect reciprocation. It may come, but don't make it the reason for giving.
If you truly feel like celebrating something then why not make your own ‘holiday’, or mark an existing worthy date in a way that is meaningful to you?
For me, the only fixed day of the year that has any meaning is the winter solstice, not for pagan reasons, though their reasons for celebrating it would
have been undoubtedly the same as mine - but that I am glad the days are getting longer again, a welcome thing in the depth of the cold, dark
months. I will say to my friends and family ‘happy solstice’, and that is it. Yes, I do still give some cards to a few people of a generation where these
things may matter a bit more, but my list has dwindled to a very small size. I also give presents (and I don’t go overboard on what may be expected
in this day and age) to my young niece until she is an adult. I do remember my own childhood Christmas and birthday and the joy of getting things,
though it was in an era, where that would have been pretty well all the stuff I would be getting all year, with only occasional small things at other
times. In those days presents were a way to give to those who did not have, and the gift would be cherished. In an age where children have more
pocket money to spend on their mobile phones alone, than I spend on food, I am very disinclined to encourage the idea of ‘You owe me, just
because’. Well, there is my rant on the evils of modern materialism.
If I have any spare to give, it is more likely to be to those in real need, or if I know someone would appreciate some particular item I stumbled
across, whatever the date or occasion.
I am all in favor of ABC warfare. (If any CIA bot has just picked up this sentence, please refer to the beginning of the post before shipping me
off to Guantanamo Bay).
So, when I say it is sixty six days to Christmas, and you feel your stomach muscles tighten, then maybe its time to join a small, but growing
number of heretics, and give it a miss.
