’Tis the season for unreasonable expectations.
Over the next several weeks, televisions, magazines, and websites will offer us countless images of the “perfect” holiday season.
Beaming faces, sparkling eyes, glistening gifts, and bountiful tables of food will be shown on media platforms of every sort. Many of these images will stand side-by-side with corporate logos and retail stores.
The turkey is from Butterball. The necklace from Kay’s. The soda is Coca-Cola. The toys were purchased at Walmart. The coffee is Folger’s. The slippers are from Kohl’s. And the new vehicle with the red bow in the driveway is a Lexus.
It would seem, from the image on the screen, these items are essential for a perfect holiday. Because obviously, the smiles are bigger, the family is happier, and the lights shine brighter—if, and only if, we buy the consumer product to make it so.
This is not a new strategy from marketers. All year long they communicate the subtle (and not-so-subtle) message that our lives will be better, happier, and more fulfilled if we buy whatever they’re selling.
But their message reaches a fever-pitch during the Holiday Season and nobody is immune to their meticulously crafted persuasion.
I assume one reason for the effectiveness of these ad campaigns is because we all desire a joyful and merry holiday season. We cherish our time with family and want it to be picture perfect. We love our kids and want them to be happy. And we all enjoy times of celebration and desire them to be memorable.
But let’s remember one important truth today: You don’t need any of those things for a perfect holiday season.
You don’t need a new car in the driveway for a perfect holiday season. You don’t need new jewelry for a perfect holiday season. You don’t need slippers. You don’t need a perfectly-decorated 10-foot tree. And you certainly don’t need a large pile of glistening presents underneath it.
You don’t need any of those things for a perfect holiday season.
The holiday season is about family, and thankfulness, and faith and love and peace. It’s about reflecting on the year that was, and looking forward to the year that can be. It’s about counting blessings. It’s about slowing down long enough to appreciate the things in life that matter most.
And too often, the consumeristic promises and fake-photos keep us from enjoying the season. Instead of slowing down, we speed up. We rush from store-to-store (or website-to-website) filling our shopping carts with all the things we think we need. We fill our schedules with increased commitments and responsibilities. We max out our credit cards.
We get so frustrated and weary chasing the perfect holiday season that we never take time to enjoy the one right in front of us.
But Melody Beattie once said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
Once we slow down enough to notice our blessings, we begin to see that we already have everything we need for a perfect holiday season.
And maybe that is what worries marketers the most… that we would begin to recognize all the things we don’t need for a perfect holiday season.
About Joshua Becker
Our Sunday school class used the most recent ADVENT CONSPIRACY curriculum and the newest YouTube video series to go with it this year. It was a super way to study during the advent season to prepare for Christmas 2019. Joshua, may God bless you and your family in the New Year!
I bought a £5 Christmas tree at a car boot, it’s doing a perfect job. For Christmas we went to mass and remembered the birth of Christ.
Somebody said Santa Klaus is really bad spelling for Satan’s Cause… I don’t go to shops in November as they disgust me.
Santa Claus has nothing to do with Satan. It’s the anglicized name for Sinterklass which is the nickname for St Nicholas, a Trurkish monk who distributed gifts of food to the poor on Christmas Eve. Tell you friend to stop making up stuff.
Such a down to earth and timely posting. We have four children
and now 8 grandchildren .One year we decided to buy thrift or homemade or recycled gifts for each other. Another year we just filled shoe boxes for charity (REALLY hard to break the expectations and spirit of commercialism but we did it ) and now we just draw one name each for an adult or a child and put a limit on the amount to spend. We do try to concentrate on family and the true reason for the season.
Love this line and our family has strived to live it out in our lives:
“We get so frustrated and weary chasing the perfect holiday season that we never take time to enjoy the one right in front of us.”
Been a reader for quite sometime, but rarely comment. Bravo. Wonderful article. Shared it on several of my social media outlets, a great message to get out.
“We get so frustrated and weary chasing the perfect holiday season that we never take time to enjoy the one right in front of us.”
Three occasions in our consumer culture demand that they be “perfect”: The Perfect Christmas. The Perfect Valentine’s Day. The Perfect Wedding. Few people expect The Perfect Thanksgiving, and no one expects the Perfect Easter, the Perfect Fourth of July…and heck, the nature of Halloween demands that that holiday be Imperfect!
No, we expect “perfection” when romantic love and family love are at stake. The market pressures us into believing that if we really love our spouse/significant other/family, we will knock ourselves out to make things “perfect” for that person.
I just saw an episode of This Is Us when one Thanksgiving, the character Rebecca finally rejected her judgmental’s mother’s demand that everything be “perfect”, and instead help create a loving, impromptu celebration with her family.
Let’s reject the unreal expectation to be “Perfect”. Let’s be flexible. Let’s be loving. Let’s be creative. Let’s be ourselves. Let’s be real!
Recommended book:
Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season
by Jo Robinson and Jean C. Staeheli
https://www.amazon.com/Unplug-Christmas-Machine-Complete-Putting/dp/0688109616
You know, everything in moderation, there’s nothing wrong with a tree, decorations etc, as long as it’s what YOU want to do, no pressure! I love the loliday season and will enjoy my house decorated for Christmas because I like it! I don’t go mad but embrace the holiday season!
*holiday
Truly needed this mind food, thank you! We are getting ready to move into a new house after relocating, and this is a gentle reminder that we don’t need everything right here, right now. Thanks for the perspective, as always! I loved your sentiment on the holiday season:
“The holiday season is about family, and thankfulness, and faith and love and peace. It’s about reflecting on the year that was, and looking forward to the year that can be. It’s about counting blessings. It’s about slowing down long enough to appreciate the things in life that matter most.”
That really is a wonderfully written gathering of words! We will be slowing down this Christmas :-)
Over the last couple of years I have become increasingly frustrated with the lead up to Christmas where everyone is encouraged to just ‘buy, buy, buy’, it just feels so wrong and totally opposite to the spirit of Christmas.
So I wanted to share what my family does at Christmas – about 10 years ago we made a rule with immediate family that we would each only spend £5 on each other (small children are excluded from this but we only have one of them in my immediate family). It’s amazing how much you can actually buy for £5, especially if you’re a bit creative with your ideas or are happy to buy things from charity shops (also ebay has been my best friend over the last few years!).
It has led to some really fun times at Christmas, where we look forward to seeing what everyone has bought, it means that if someone gives you something you don’t really like then they have only spent a fiver on it, so it’s really not a big deal.
I remember growing up in the 1980’s me and my brother would get a lot of Christmas presents, and our parents would spend many hours during many weeks shopping for them. Even back then as a ten year old I remember I didn’t even want all that stuff, instead I would have wanted parents that were not so busy shopping all December. As an adult I try to consider this, I already did the shopping all on one day, and rather spend the time baking with my children, listening to Christmas music, reading books with them etc.
If you have a peaceful soul, and people to share it with, you really do have everything. But its not as easy to find as you think, especially if you look outward. The key is to find it within yourself. Thanks for a great message!
Lovely article! Such a great reminder for this time of year.
Its all so easy to ‘get it’ with our rational minds but a lot of us are driven by our subconscious desires. Part of me is in complete agreement with what is said about cutting back on the buying and gifting but the other part is drawn like a magnet to the emails, the TV ads and the websites. I am almost panic stricken at the thought of not getting ‘enough’ presents for my grand kids and step grand kids. I want to be fair, I want to be loving, I want to fulfill their hopes and expectations, as well as my own, misguided though they may be. Then, after one short day, its all over. All the work and stress and worry was for what, now? I know its all true but changing is hard and just plain terrifying. I tell myself I want to be different and then go ahead and just be like I have always been.
I am laughing at myself now! It amuses me when I admit the truth to myself as well as admitting the truth frees me from my self condemnation.
Merry Christmas to all, may all your dreams come true, some how.
Thanks for this timely reminder that Christmas has a higher purpose than the material one we’ve been lead to believe it’s all about in recent years. All the excesses of this time of year actually make me feel a little queasy! I love the holidays, but not the consumerism and pressure to buy. No presents this year – unless they’re homemade, and instead lots of quality family time.
Growing up I learned more and bigger is obviously better. If you like a top for example, you must buy every color. If it’s on sale there is even more cumpultion to buy. And if it’s from a thrift store every item should be considered. All this in a subconscious attempt to feel good, more complete and safe.
I moved out of the house at 18 years old with way too much stuff. I got married 2 years later to my childhood sweetheart and 4 1/2 years later we had a bouncing baby girl. In a frenzy to prepare for our baby I never thought I could have, I bought all the thrifted clothes, blankets and trinkets I could find. According to most families it didn’t seem like much as we didn’t have the large baby gear. But her closet told a different story. It didn’t feel right. Once she arrived I realized I had justified too much garage sale, on sale, thrifted, and ‘must have this’ items. I Realised at this point I could of gotten a handful of nice outfits and things for her when she actually needed them, if she needed them. I felt wasteful and silly.
This is when we started getting rid of most of the things in our home. It took 2 years to make our 1,200 square foot home hit its clicking point. Since then we’ve moved to a 650 square foot townhome to our wonderful 850 square foot home, with a big back yard. I’ve learned enough really is enough. I don’t have to live in a poverty mindset, hoarding belongings for the unforseable future.
One month after moving into our new home we brought our sweet son home. Having a simple home made this an easier transition for everyone. Their combined closet is more tidy than my daughter’s was alone at birth. I am no longer swimming in baby things.
Choosing to live small has allowed us to be debt free besides our home. It has also helped give me the desire of my heart of being a stay at home mom and hopefully homeschool our children. We are engaged in our vibrant community almost daily. We have 5 parks and a library within walking distance, a membership at the YMCA and are active members at our local church. We also have time for building relationships with family and friends.
Life is better with room to breathe and space to let life happen. Whether it be in your schedule or in your home. It is so much easier to never let things you don’t need into your life, then have to figure out what to do with them after the fact. Boundaries are healthy in every area of life and I like that minimalism enforces this.
Our life still gets crazy but we like to hit the ‘RESET’ button often. This means we put everything back in its place. The best is yet to come!
How wise you are. If I could turn back the hands of time I would live like you and your family. Debt really had an effect on my first marriage but I learned a lot along the way. Stay on course, it sounds like you are on a good track for a secure future.
I love watching the old Christmas Classic movies on a local channel. Then the commercials come on. Perhaps I owe a debt of gratitude to the whole realization that minimalism leads to a better quality of life. I read this site and a few others too. The commercials remind me of all the “stuff” that clutters our life. I find that for myself it gets me right back on track when I think I could use something else. I’m sure the advertisers wouldn’t be happy that it was having this effect on me.
So spot on Joshua.
Thanks Angela.
The reason for this Season is STILL Christ. No need for all of the gift-buying and rushing around. Just remembering Him and His arrival into a dark world to bring us salvation is enough.
Merry and Blessed Christmas to all of you!
Amen and I love that Christmas Is on Sunday this year!
Thank you for this, just what I needed to hear. The run up to Christmas always makes me sad with memories of years past. My children and grandchildren live miles away and tend to forget about my husband and I in their busy -ness. This will be the second year on our own. Christmas easy is fine,it is just a day like any other, but the run up always gets me.
Can you be grandma/grandpa to a nearby family with no older loved ones in their lives? Can you become involved in their lives?
I’ve been alone through the holidays and I know it is really really difficult. Wish I could be near you and give you a hug (and a pumpkin pie).
Meanwhile I think next year, I will ascribe to a minimalist lifestyle for myself. So much more peace…
After reading article and responses, I am alone. I have kids and grandkids one hour away. I get so stressed at Christmas because of the commercialism. I’m on fixed budget. After this Christmas, things are changing. We should celebrate the reason for the holiday. His birth his death BECAUSE without this we wouldn’t have any reason to celebrate. Our eternity is our gift. Take each day remembering that.❤
So true. I don’t have a TV but on Thanksgiving at my parents’ house it was talking at us non-stop and I was overwhelmed by the audacity of advertisers who equated love with jewelry, happiness with booze and joy with toys. No wonder people have such a hard time just listening to their own hearts and finding love in hugs, happiness in shared experiences and joy in nature. XOXOX
Thanks for the post. I thought I was going crazy over the Black Friday frenzy just yesterday. I live in Spain and up to this year, it was never this big. Anyway, luckily for me my family never bothered much about the gifts and buying stuff for Christmas, they did so when my sister and I were little girls but we never got many presents, which is a good thing because we got exactly what we wanted and we enjoyed it to the max. Today we don’t buy each other presents, we get together, enjoy nice food and share the spirit of this festivity without the need for overconsumption. Last year I insisted on giving presents, and we did secret santa. It was a disaster, so this holiday I’ll keep my mouth shut and simply enjoy being with my family.
Remember to spend your extra time with people, not things, and the holidays will once again bring light and life. And if you must buy, then go handmade, supporting local artists and craftspeople, because their future is dependent on how we spend our money. Individual or big box thinking, it isn’t hard to make the right choice.
This is a great reminder and much needed! But, how can I as a grandparent explain these ideas to the grandchildren… 6 & 8, when their parents are all into lots of toys and stuff!
They can’t seem to ever be satisfied! Always want more. They have too much in my view, and never seem happy and content! I’m so frustrated!
You can give them movie-tickets and go see a film together, and maybe go to a restaurant. I know my kids would like a gift like that.
Oh I feel that I am in the same situation…
My biggest problem is with my daughter, she is 6. Me and her dad are not together and she is greatly influenced by his family, and they are BIG TIME shoppers and give her all kinds of things all the time, even things that are expensive or not proper for her age. (She got a make-up kit when she was 5 from his aunt. A tablet from his parents for her 6th birthday – something they never consulted us on.)
We can’t go out of a store without her arguing for something totally unnecessary and being a single mom, there’s no way I could afford all the things even if I wanted to – and I definitely don’t.
I am struggling to make her understand and accept our limitations and that having lots of toys (that she hardly plays with) just for the sake of “having” is unnecessary. We have gotten to the point of daily arguments where she is never satisfied with anything I can provide with and it breaks my heart. :(
Consider buying or making her a tickle-trunk (dress up box of old clothes) or a craft kit or board game. That way she still gets a gift, but it will become a gift of experience and time spent with you. Those memories will outshine any plastic mass-produced gizmos that the other side of the family will give her. I always try to give gifts that people really need (a gift card for new shoes, some pretty tea towels – usually picked up from the thrift shop, etc.) services to them (washing their car, babysitting, etc.) or experiences for them (movie passes, gift card for dinner, a picnic set, etc) I find people are very appreciative of things that lighten their load or give them a happy memory. I’ve always done this with my children and they have always expressed how much they enjoyed our very modest Christmases.
If grandchildren have too much because their parents overdo it, give them the gift of your time. A special place to take a walk, followed by hot cocoa somewhere, a visit to a museum or zoo (preferably a “free” one) maybe a movie at your home, snuggled under a blanket and just your time. Ask them simple questions, and listen – really listen to their answers. Kids who are inundated with toys are usually so wired up that the best gift you can give is time to just relax and use their imagination. My 3 1/3 yr. old granddaughter’s favorite game is “Flower Fairy”. She invented it. She takes a bunch of artificial flowers and “hides” them in my tiny home and then I search for them. When I’ve collected them all, we talk about them and then it’s my turn to be the fairy and hide them. This keeps her occupied for at least an hour.
I don’t think you necessarily have to explain it to them. You might just be able to lead by example instead. When I was a child, my parents would max out the credit cards for Christmas presents for me and my five siblings. My grandparents lived through the depression and have very few possessions. They would visit on Christmas Day with not a single present for any of us, yet we loved to have their company because they spent quality time with us, expressed sincere interest in our lives, and always told us how much they love us and how proud they are of us. I never once remember having an expectation of getting lots of presents. I was truly grateful my parents tried so hard to make it a magical day and that they spent so much in order to make it “picture perfect,” but my grandparents’ example taught me that all I really wanted for Christmas was to know I was loved. And I did.
This is perfect! We now live within site of our local mall. It’s a beautiful place with many lovely shops and restaurants. Last night we went to a movie nearby then walked the streets enjoying the Christmas lights. The mall was packed…at 10pm last night! This morning, we walked another 2.5mi around the area and played in the park. The mall was still packed! I wouldn’t trade those family walks for whatever kept that mall packed for the last 24hrs straight. Life > stuff.
Thank you! I needed this today. Our family is currently dealing with my husband’s serious illness and my daughter’s latest gymnastics related injury. My “perfect” holiday will be a few simple decorations, a few gifts and some simple meals. Time with my family will be my main focus.
This is so incredibly true. For years my mother sought to have the perfect tree, perfect house decorations, perfect dinner, etc., etc. Holidays there were always almost picture perfect, but the things I remember and cherish most are not the things, but what we did… singing Christmas carols with my father, going for a drive around town to see the pretty lights of others, laughing till our bellies ached watching the dogs open their presents, the laughter, the smiles, the hugs… these are what I remember with love in my heart.
Yep, so true. My Christmas will be wonderful this year – my best gift ever… my daughter will be coming home from a 3 month stay in a psych hospital to fight anorexia. All the “things” mean nothing.
Just lovely. I’m always inspired by your blog. Thanks.
AMEN!!!!
I stopped buying for my adult children, and other adults, 3 years ago. At first it was strange, now I am used to it. So much better on the bank account! We enjoy our time together. No more stress of worrying if it’s the “right” gift.
Much Gratitude for the light you shine.
As always, you hit the nail on the head. I certainly appreciate the reminder today and every other day that you post reminding us of what we need for simple joy and the joy of simplicity.
Gratitude really is a key to finding contentment. Such a good reminder… and we all gave thanks right before the Christmas season starts :)
Thank you!!
Great little article!
Made me smile this morning.
Thank you!
This makes so much sense. Thanks for the reminder. :) Happy holidays to you and your family.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Buying stuff at the holidays does not and can not bring us what we are really seeking (no matter what marketers say). Buying the shiniest bicycle doesn’t make you the best parent.
Christmas is not a religious holiday for me, so finding meaning beyond consumerism can be a struggle. This year I reflected on what Christmas really means to me and what a meaningful Christmas looks for me. These led to my Christmas “must haves” – https://moretimethanmoney.co.nz/2016/11/17/my-must-haves-this-christmas . I usually categorise myself as a grinch, but I do really value Christmas as a day of family fun and that’s what I am focusing on.
Great article, a much needed read for so many people especially this time of year. I want to post it on facebook. Thanks!
That’s quite true. Our Thanksgiving had plenty of food but it didn’t keep us busy all day. We didn’t to much decorating but we were very much aware of what we had to be thankful for. The holiday was low-hassle and ultimately fairly low cost, and I felt all the better for studiously ignoring all the ads, commercials, and propaganda. Except for baking the pumpkin pie longer so they weren’t jelly like in the middle, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
I see people getting sucked into the frenzy of Christmas as others around them become more frenetic. Your article resonates with me. Having those around you is what it’s about or taking the time to be in touch and it is our Christianity celebration not about consumerism gone mad!
With age comes wisdom. Stuff, ego and status give way to family, friends, our passions and gratitude. Experiences trump things!
I really enjoy and look forward to your newsletter, Joshua.
I so wish I had discovered minimalism years ago, at least the desire for it. I have never had much money or a lot of things but the wanting for them was there so I didn’t enjoy my life as much as I could have. It looked like a very moderate life on the outside but it wasn’t so in my heart.
Well, even though I am 72 now this has given me a whole new exciting perspective and goals for my life. My family will be so relieved not to have to deal with years of my accumulation.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
I am encouraged by these comments and just recently became a minimalist after losing our house, furnishings and most of my family memoirs & personal affects from the devastating flood this past August. I’m saddened by what happened to us and our entire town, but now realize at the ripe age of 72, that life isn’t about things & possessions but our families, friends, helping those in need; our beautiful world of nature, our precious pets and mostly, loving & trusting God. To live a life of gratitude!
Donna, I am sorry for all your losses but have faith that you’ve found the path to live the rest of your life with more peace and contentment. Good luck!
I love this, Joshua and it has come at the perfect time today. Thanks for the timely reminder. I am off home to be grateful for all the things I do have and be grateful for all that I don’t need.
I’m 6 months into minimalism and it’s really starting to be ingrained into me now.
The biggest challenge I see with Christmas is the question “why did Santa get my friends at school loads of toys, whilst I didn’t get as much? Was I not as well behaved?” I can’t work it out.
I do quite enjoy the quizzical look on the parents and in laws face when I say I would prefer a donation to charity as a gift though.
Here’s a potential answer: “some people are those Santa gives a lot to. Some people are Santa’s helpers. You get some toys because you are good, but we know that love is important too.” Then have them help you deliver a holiday box to a needy family in your area. Help them be proud of giving and being in on the secret magic of the season. That’s what happened to me when I was little, and it resulted in some really good memories.
When my daughter was 6, she asked a very well-thought out question-“Why are poor children bad?”
EEEK! I asked her her where on Earth she had gotten that idea-and she came up with, of course, that Santa brings lots of toys/etc if one is good. She couldn’t understand how being poor would influence Santa!
We had a LONG talk, and I finally came up with Santa as deliverer of toys-and elves the makers-but the parent/adult/etc had to PAY for the materials.
She then decided that we HAD to help some poor children’s
parents pay for gifts for their kids who had been good. And we did. She continues this kindness as an adult, as does her brother.
As a family we learned long ago that holidays are just what you make them.
As a teacher, I use the concept of winding DOWN to the holiday instead of ramping up-it keeps the kids calmer, and I have almost no discipline issues in my SpEd classes.
We meditate daily and focus on doing kind things for others. Instead of asking, “What do you want for Christmas?” I have them explore “What do you want to GIVE to others ?”
It’s awesome to read/hear what my kids write/say.
Happy holidays!
Excellent response. I love how you ask your kids what they’d like to give instead of what they want.
That’s a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas.
Imho, that’s a great time to tell them that Santa is imaginary!
We’ve never *done* Santa with our almost 6yo, and I am so glad. We also home school and don’t have regular tele, so he misses most of the peer pressure and marketing messages intended to make him want, want, want. He probably still has too many toys, but he isn’t constantly asking for more, and I am slowly culling as he outgrows things.
Amy Dacyczyn, writer of the Tightwad Gazette, makes the argument that the fewer treats (toys, etc.) children receive, the more grateful they are for their possessions.
I agree with her. Anyway, that’s the way things worked out with my son.
It’s funny but I’ve heard this said by other familes, my home, with fewer toys and no television is where all the kids hung out when my boy was a child. I know this is anecdotal evidence but it says something, I think.
Don’t we all know children with a house full of toys and gadgets that they never touch? Those houses filled with this garbage are houses filled with wasted resources.
Anyway, you know what to do with your family better than anyone else knows what to do with your family. Including me!
Be well, Arlene
Amy Dacyczyn is my hero…The Tightwad Gazette makes me happy when I read it. It really shows how creativity and frugality can create a home that is so much better than store bought.
I hurt when I see kids in my circle that have every toy imaginable and tell me they are bored…don’t play with most of them, don’t pick them up…and rooms look like a disaster. Whenever in a store they clamor for more! It’s true. They don’t appreciate what they have. It is a glut of “stuff” and it is a dime a dozen…why care for them if you can only get more and more each time you go out?
My kids only get one gift from Santa, and we’re not minimalist. I know many people who do just one Santa present, but then others say all presents are from Santa. You just have to decide on your own traditions. If your kids are used to having a lot of gifts under the tree, but you’re ready to cut back, consider buying and wrapping things you’d be buying them anyway like socks and shoes. Or if your kids are old enough explain the new rule is mommy will only buy 3 presents (or whatever number you like). Then they’ll know ahead of time.
So true! The unrealistic expectations might be what has made National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation such a popular movie. It’s a tradition at our house. We watch it every year.
Love your blog. I just had the very best Thanksgiving holiday & weekend after. I think it’s directly attributable to letting go of watching tv. No ads to buy things I don’t need, no images of what my life “should” look like, no emotional hangover from “wanting”. Very thankful!
How do you let go of watching TV…I have tried and found it very difficult…any suggestions?
Im 63, I gave up Tv when my first born was 6, shes 43 now, I realized I didnt have time to waste if I wanted a full life, TV tends to take up precious time from reading, crafts,board games and adventure, just to name a few. I gave it away and never looked back or regreted the decision.
Read a book
If you haven’t already, you could start by cutting your cable. We did over a year ago. Our replacement is a Roku and a Netflix subscription. We’ve discovered that we’re much more selective about what we watch and that the TV is on a lot less.
Put it in the trash . I ve lived without one since 2009. If I can do it, you can.
Oh, it’s not easy to find gratitude, living in deep grief as a result of the US-election. Too much fear and sorrow. What have you done?!
Keep in mind that “fear and sorrow” is also advertised so that we will go out and buy things to make us feel safe and happy. Look around you and discover how safe and happy your really are.
Bonnie, wise response. Thank you!
Oh I don’t buy a lot, only the essentials of life. I’m a mother and grandmother, and all of my children have learned early to live with less. And we live in Germany, where a new party lies and “trumpets” like your president-elect. A lot of people hear the message and spread the hate. Yes, as a family and Christians, we are really happy. But all around us is a lot of fear and worry because of the US-election. Here the people cannot understand what you have done. We are all in deep worry about that, especially the Christians, helping refugees in need – and we do have a lot of refugees. They enrich our lives her. But the elections caused a lot of deep depression. My children fear for the future and the future of their children. The Nazis here enjoy and feel triumphant and see more victories coming. Trump’s lies and the US-election make them happy – but only these people. :-(
How did an article about learning to live with less turn into grief and sadness. We still live in the greatest country in the world, we’re free, we are able to vote, and go where we want to when we want to. How easy it is to go from feeling thankful to feeling terrible.
“The greatest country in the world …” – you believe that already? Do you really think that? Incredible.
You cannot see, what the rest of the world is experiencing with your new president? Wow.
I suppose one has to go elsewhere to see how very grateful we should be living in this country of abundance. Like my ancestors I too wish to teach my grandchildren of those less fortunate. Where fresh drinking water is nonexistent (let that truth settle into your soul), where children walk hours to go to school (one way). Where some people don’t have shoes. Countries (even our own) where children go to bed hungry ,often. How rich and lovely it would be if this country and its media pursuasion would speak of giving vs getting. Of serving others vs self serving pleasures. Of a virtuous life vs a materialistic culture. I recently began to change my own culture within of wanting ,having, seeking more to simply living and being in the PRESENT????with less but truly more❤️
That is beautiful and inspiring Elliott! Thanks so much .
I work at a Christmas store…and “magic” is sold there for all the trappings of Christmas “magic”…but my heart grieves when I see the $400, $600, $1000 price tags just for that reason alone. If we keep it simple…reuse those boxes we’ ve tucked away…recycle cards as gifts in frames…wrap with cloth material bought the day after Christmas last year…we can simplify and be a blessing to so many places where it is a life and death struggle, in the aftermath of war, or at a poverty level we will never relate to. Besides that, look for the lonely old person or family that is struggling here. Share our Christmas dinner with them. Thanks for this timely reminder.
Thanks for this very timely reminder on today of all days….BLACK FRIDAY.
In Canada, we are also gearing up for “BIG SAVINGS” & “FANATASTIC DEALS ” etc , etc., I woke up this morning to a crap load of Black Friday themed emails which I promptly deleted.
I am opting out of the crazy part of this season and staying home today…..we have what we need right here.
And I’m so very thankful :)
Awesome
Thank you. Just what I needed to read at this Holiday Season time. I feel better already. I really don’t need very many items to have a wonderful time. Again thank you for the reminder.
Love this! I never have anything perfect, even have failed to get the tree up some years. (It is up already this year!) I always feel “less than” for failing to have things perfect.
Also, for myself, I prefer to buy used items. Saving, repressing and enjoying vintage things with character is what I enjoy.
I agree wholeheartedly with this blog and the simplicity it stands for. Last night, I spent over an hour researching artificial trees, trying to find the “perfect” one for our home. I don’t ask for much really, just one that’s: not made in China, 7 ft tall, realistic-looking, pre-lit with LEDs, good quality and affordable. And I discovered that the “perfect” tree just doesn’t exist. Instead, I decided to save our money. Like last year, we will forgo a Christmas tree, purchase 1 small gift for our toddler, and spend money on an experience together.