I Have Never Seen The Point In Keeping Up With The Joneses

I'm happy most people around me seem to enjoy Christmas. I, however, couldn't care less about the holiday season. My sons are grown, sure, but my lack of enthusiasm began long before they had lost the twinkle in their eyes over the wonder of it all.

Commercialism is ridiculous in general, but during a time of year when togetherness and deeper meaning are suppose to reign supreme, I find it is more often than not a competition of got-to-haves and look-what-I-boughts. Frankly, given the state of the world around us, it's rather gross that, as a society, materialism and possessions are still of such immense importance. Imagine if everyone took half of the money they spend on toys that will be broken or lost within weeks, jewelry and tools that inevitably collect dust all too soon, and needless items that wouldn't be missed if they hadn't been all the rage, and put it toward something meaningful for someone they don't know.

It is painfully obvious to me, that overall, the world would be a more hospitable place if more people went out of their way for others, just because it was a nice thing to do. No expectations tied to actions, just people allowing the giving and positive part of themselves to drive for awhile. It isn't about keeping score; there's no tit for tat when it comes to paying it forward. You do because you want to, not to 'put good karma out there', and not because you might get something in return. Do something for someone because you want to; because it feels good to do good, and that's all.

The more of us who do this, the sooner we can connect with happy times. When you put all those silly, self-defeating thoughts of why you don't have what so-and-so has, why you haven't been on as many vacations as that guy from work, or when your luck is going to change aside ... guess what? You make room for immense positive energy. While it may not take the form of things you thought you wanted, you will likely be surprised that you hadn't thought to seek it all before.

There is a balance; no one should just give up everything for the sake of others. Just think of one or two things you really want, and then make the conscious decision to do something for someone else instead. Pass up on that new tech-y device, or whatever thing you think you have to have right now. More often than not, the things we covet don't disappear because we didn't jump on the opportunity the moment it presented itself. When we make the conscious effort to appreciate what we already have, we choose more wisely, and the value we saw seems to last a lot longer. Isn't it all just stuff  in the end, anyway?