I know. Everyone is doing New Year’s posts. It’s cliché, but so is Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and I still watch that too. I think it’s good to stop and reflect at least once a year.
Recently I did an exercise that required me to remember a noteworthy event for every year of my life. I’m still pretty young, and I have to admit that there were several years that just blended together. I don’t really know what happened when I was 23. I’m sure I’d remember if it was anything big. Still, I don’t think I’m that boring. A few noteworthy things probably happened. At the time I was likely too busy living life to stop and write a couple things down, and I probably thought I would remember. Silly girl.
So, in the spirit of reflection and at the risk of overinflating my importance, I give you my top ten events/accomplishments for 2009:
1) Got pregnant. (Probably won’t forget this one.)
2) Quit my job during the worst recession since The Great Depression because it was killing my soul.
3) Grew a vegetable garden and started composting (with John’s help).
4) Started writing a blog after finally finding a suitable title.
5) Joined Twitter and became truly addicted to social networking. (See: possible New Year’s resolutions)
6) Began trying to eat mostly organic and local food.
7) Took my first two week vacation since childhood. Visited Maui and it was glorious.
8) Bought a food processor and started cooking in earnest.
a. Made my own pie crust from scratch during the hottest summer on record.
b. Made pickles.
9) Visited New York City for the first time.
a. Successfully hailed my own cab and boarded a train at Penn Station.
10) Joined a yoga studio and started going regularly (until pregnancy nausea set in.)
Now, on to 2010! May you have a prosperous and peaceful New Year!
12.31.2009
12.22.2009
The Gifts of the Magi Were Not Purchased at the Mall
I didn’t really want to write this post because, frankly, I think some people won’t like it, and I like when people like me and the things I have to say. I also don’t especially want to stir the pot on a divisive issue. However, I just keep hearing and thinking about this debate, so I felt like I should probably just go for it. Here goes…
I am really tired of the debate about saying “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays.” To me, it’s tedious, argumentative and misses the proverbial forest for the Christmas tree. “Merry Christmas” are not magic words. They don’t appear in the Bible. They mean enjoy celebrating the Mass, or church celebration, of Christ’s birth. In theory we should be saying Happy Advent until December 25th (which is an arbitrary date), but that’s another post.
It is true that Christmas in its purest and original form is a religious holiday, but we also celebrate a host of traditions that have nothing to do with Christ or the Nativity story. I’m pretty sure that Santa was not at the birth of Jesus, there probably wasn’t a Christmas tree and the shepherds weren’t wearing ugly sweaters and gobbling gingerbread men. My point is, there are both secular and spiritual traditions associated with Christmas in this country and around the world.
I see it as the job of the Church and followers of Christ to uphold the important spiritual traditions and their meanings inherent in the story of the birth of Christ. I don’t understand getting angry at retailers for their secular portrayal of Christmas. These are businesses. They want to make money. They are going to do whatever they think will do that, so they cast as wide a net as possible. Why are we looking to Wal-Mart to set the theological pace for our lives? This is ludicrous. Personally, I think the co-opting and commercialization of Christmas for profit is far more offensive than someone saying “Happy Holidays.” I’m fine with the fact that most of the current retail ads leave Christ out of their messages because sweaters and video games on sale have nothing to do with the spiritual meaning of Christmas.
For those that celebrate the spiritual traditions and meanings of Christmas (a group in which I am included), I would like to suggest an alternate approach. Instead of getting angry at them for ruining Christmas, let’s find positive and productive ways to uphold and share the meaning of Christmas with as many as we can. Let’s look at our own actions first and see what we can do to spread hope, grace, peace and goodwill toward all.
"Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem." ~ Linus Van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas
I am really tired of the debate about saying “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays.” To me, it’s tedious, argumentative and misses the proverbial forest for the Christmas tree. “Merry Christmas” are not magic words. They don’t appear in the Bible. They mean enjoy celebrating the Mass, or church celebration, of Christ’s birth. In theory we should be saying Happy Advent until December 25th (which is an arbitrary date), but that’s another post.
It is true that Christmas in its purest and original form is a religious holiday, but we also celebrate a host of traditions that have nothing to do with Christ or the Nativity story. I’m pretty sure that Santa was not at the birth of Jesus, there probably wasn’t a Christmas tree and the shepherds weren’t wearing ugly sweaters and gobbling gingerbread men. My point is, there are both secular and spiritual traditions associated with Christmas in this country and around the world.
I see it as the job of the Church and followers of Christ to uphold the important spiritual traditions and their meanings inherent in the story of the birth of Christ. I don’t understand getting angry at retailers for their secular portrayal of Christmas. These are businesses. They want to make money. They are going to do whatever they think will do that, so they cast as wide a net as possible. Why are we looking to Wal-Mart to set the theological pace for our lives? This is ludicrous. Personally, I think the co-opting and commercialization of Christmas for profit is far more offensive than someone saying “Happy Holidays.” I’m fine with the fact that most of the current retail ads leave Christ out of their messages because sweaters and video games on sale have nothing to do with the spiritual meaning of Christmas.
For those that celebrate the spiritual traditions and meanings of Christmas (a group in which I am included), I would like to suggest an alternate approach. Instead of getting angry at them for ruining Christmas, let’s find positive and productive ways to uphold and share the meaning of Christmas with as many as we can. Let’s look at our own actions first and see what we can do to spread hope, grace, peace and goodwill toward all.
"Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem." ~ Linus Van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas
12.04.2009
Santa, Baby
...and, we're back. Sorry for the radio silence. It's part of my new 10 Steps to a Successful Blog theory. Step 1 - Start a new new blog, post two times and then go silent for a month. I'll be releasing the whole article soon.
Anyway, as you probably have realized unless you are in an isolation chamber, Christmas is coming. In preparation I have been thinking a little about my wish list. I don't actually really like to make a list, but we draw names in my family. If you don't supply options you will end up with an ill-fitting sweater. This year, I find I'm having the same trouble as the last few. I can't come up with anything good. I don't really need anything, and the great ideas that pop into my head include fancy cameras and diamond jewelry. Not helpful for the $50 limit. When I ask myself what I really want, I inevitably fall down the rabbit hole into a land of options not intended to be wrapped. So, I thought maybe I'd share a few of them with you and you can talk to Santa for me if you see him.
1) Find a Magic Wardrobe in my House - While I'd love to go to Narnia (post witch deposition), I quite literally would love to discover a magic storage space. My house is just shy of 900 sq ft and lacks a proper coat or linen closet. I keep checking the wall for the magic spot that opens it up, but no luck yet.
2) X-Ray Label Vision - With all the talk of phthalates and parabens in every beauty product and cleaner these days, I would love to be able to read the label and know what's really in my shampoo. Maybe there's an app for that...
3) Learn a New Language Like a Toddler - Maybe I'm just lazy, but I want to figure out how to reopen that language center in the brain before I invest in the Italian lessons.
4) Pull Off the Ten Item Wardrobe - There are magazines that say this is possible, and it always looks very chic in print. So far, I have not been able to edit the closet this ruthlessly. This would also be useful in solving the closet shortage issue.
5) Reclaim the Upper Arms from my Senior Homecoming Photo - I ran across the photo the other day, and I kicked myself for not appreciating them when I had them. Now it will require lots of work to get 'em back.
6) Extreme Home Makeover for the Neighbors - No, I'm not that altruistic. Their house is just that hideous. Washing machine in back yard - that is all I have to say.
7) Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men - Cliche, yes. I really would like it, though. Everyone is so contentious these days, and I find it a little exhausting. Maybe if we had a heavenly host singing to us, we could all look past our noses. Including me.
I wish you a peaceful and joyous Advent season! Don't forget to talk to Santa for me...
Anyway, as you probably have realized unless you are in an isolation chamber, Christmas is coming. In preparation I have been thinking a little about my wish list. I don't actually really like to make a list, but we draw names in my family. If you don't supply options you will end up with an ill-fitting sweater. This year, I find I'm having the same trouble as the last few. I can't come up with anything good. I don't really need anything, and the great ideas that pop into my head include fancy cameras and diamond jewelry. Not helpful for the $50 limit. When I ask myself what I really want, I inevitably fall down the rabbit hole into a land of options not intended to be wrapped. So, I thought maybe I'd share a few of them with you and you can talk to Santa for me if you see him.
1) Find a Magic Wardrobe in my House - While I'd love to go to Narnia (post witch deposition), I quite literally would love to discover a magic storage space. My house is just shy of 900 sq ft and lacks a proper coat or linen closet. I keep checking the wall for the magic spot that opens it up, but no luck yet.
2) X-Ray Label Vision - With all the talk of phthalates and parabens in every beauty product and cleaner these days, I would love to be able to read the label and know what's really in my shampoo. Maybe there's an app for that...
3) Learn a New Language Like a Toddler - Maybe I'm just lazy, but I want to figure out how to reopen that language center in the brain before I invest in the Italian lessons.
4) Pull Off the Ten Item Wardrobe - There are magazines that say this is possible, and it always looks very chic in print. So far, I have not been able to edit the closet this ruthlessly. This would also be useful in solving the closet shortage issue.
5) Reclaim the Upper Arms from my Senior Homecoming Photo - I ran across the photo the other day, and I kicked myself for not appreciating them when I had them. Now it will require lots of work to get 'em back.
6) Extreme Home Makeover for the Neighbors - No, I'm not that altruistic. Their house is just that hideous. Washing machine in back yard - that is all I have to say.
7) Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men - Cliche, yes. I really would like it, though. Everyone is so contentious these days, and I find it a little exhausting. Maybe if we had a heavenly host singing to us, we could all look past our noses. Including me.
I wish you a peaceful and joyous Advent season! Don't forget to talk to Santa for me...
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