It's nearing 2am and I'm wide awake. Assisted by some coffee, I'm witnessing the graveyard shift at my local Starbucks. Why? Simply put, I can't sleep. Why? Even simpler, too much on my mind. What? Well... you're just full of questions tonight, aren't you?! Well, blogging tends to be my emotional outlet, so let's see what comes out.
The holidays are such a wondrous time. So much anticipation and deeply-rooted significance with these occasions. And yet, amidst the joy and cheer, there always seems to be something gnawing at the legs that cause this happiness to crumble into a mess of shattered pieces. Perhaps it's just the overwhelming expectations of joy and well being, maybe it's just the natural bathos back into normal life, or maybe it's part of the Mayan Calendar Curse that bursts bubbles... probably not that last one.
But whatever the reason, the holidays (as wonderful and amazing as they are) leave me feeling just a tad blue when they're over. The contrast of togetherness and family time yields to loneliness and mundane monotony plays its full course in just a matter of days. The cycle of smiles and frowns, like the moon, keeps on a predictable pattern. The joy of Christmas turns into melancholy emptiness. Somehow this continues year after year.
Again, I can only speculate as to why. Is it the natural let down after such high hopes and fluttering holiday emotions? Is it only me (or my family) who experience this phenomenon? If it's more of a universal occurrence, then perhaps there's something psychological to it.
Or maybe it's a deeper yearning for something greater than what the holidays have become? Let me venture a thought.
I know that this time of year has been regarded as a time of hope. Not only is it the celebrated memorium of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, being born in a stable in Bethlehem, but it's also the time of year when days begin to lengthen. The reign of darkness (both spiritually and physically) is nearing an end. The hope that these facts can evoke is marvelous.
But our society, namely corporations, have pushed our sentiments to the limit. Stores gear up for Christmas before the previous holiday is even past. I've begun to see Santas and candy canes pop up in stores before HALLOWEEN! Christmas music is pumped on the airwaves before the turkey is carved at Thanksgiving! By the time Christmas rolls around, there are many more Scrooges and Grinches than merry elves because too many of us simply tire of the motifs. The spirit of Christmas has been replicated ad nausium and so has lost its potency. Well... what do you expect?
This is sad... because I believe so many people WANT to experience Christmas. I mean, who honestly wants to BE SAD? I tend to think that people want happiness, joy, hope, the good emotions that come with the season. But these are not emotions that cannot be manufactured by Hallmark. The joy has to come from a more legitimate source.
I say, next year, let's shorten the season. Ignore the holiday up until the week before. Sure, if only a few people do it, the world won't change overnight... but if more and more begin to resist the tradition of commercialization, then eventually there can be an impact! Who knows, maybe the joy of the season will return when we don't experience the emotional burnout from the constant expectations of cheeriness.
Just my two cents (depreciated for inflation). Maybe now I can rest. Thanks for reading! Happy New Year!
