by Joliette 31 Replies latest jw experiences
Joliette says ...
I still am not a very 'festive' person
Don't worry and overly stressed about it, it has its annoying attributes that a lot of people secretly admit to.
Crass commercialism for one.
See it just a time to do some socializing, maybe some outdoor activity, hit some restaurants, go see a movie or two.
Sometimes I'll even a take trip overseas ( Hawaii )
Relax read a book, before you know it will be all over and a new year starts.
Take care
Intoxicated and relieved just to have time off work
I have mixed feelings about the holidays. I've helped several relatives to get their minds and hearts out of the cult. And they are really big into the holidays. I feel bad for the ones still in. I know they are judging us harshly.
For me the holidays have come to represent freedom. And it is that freedom I celebrate now.
i just can't get into really enjoying it all....i think years of enforced hatred of the whole festive atmosphere has taken its toll. i do love the lights - the wreaths, kissing balls, even the trees when beautifully done - ornaments, gift-wrapped presents. . . but there is a sadness of having had a childhood and a long part of adulthood being on the outside looking in - or inside looking out, however you want to take it. but, its just hubby and me, and he is, although no longer involved with the religion, still anti-christmas for purist type reasons. he really is adamant about the pagan roots and prefers that we don't appear to be celebrants. yet he's the one that comes home with the wreathes for the doors - he doesn't mind decorations, but no tree....and one day i think it would be really cool to have a tree and dress it all up - but for what really. it's just the two of us and a cat and i'm off at work all the time....so it comes down to an unnecessary expense. i think if we had kids or extended family it would be different.
oh well - whatever......it's a quiet day. it is more fun if it falls on a weekend.....wednesday is just blah.
bah humbug comrades!!!
Try to make this holiday season about who you are right now, not what you were in the past.
Adiva
Not everyone is into Christmas, even among people who never were JWs. Leaving the religion gave us the right to celebrate Christmas, but not a duty to celebrate it. And there is no wrong or right way to do it.
Do what ever feels right.
Indeed, sometimes I do little compared to other years. When I see the video clips on news shows of shoppers fighting each other, people being tazed, I wonder what sick thing is going on. I try so hard to insulate myself from all the catalogues and ads. When I was a teenager, I wanted the loot. My requests for the loot were not subtle. It was good having a much younger sister with a wirtten Christmas wish list b/c I decided to add my own to the mix. Everything had to be designer and beauty related. The best gift we ever received was a fox terrier puppy. She received some beauty treatments. I was very upset when I learned that makeup is bad for dogs.
I believe the beauty treatments were important to me b/c the Witnesses always said that wanton women used makeup.
Now I love personal gifts. Books that reflect my interests. Home baked goodies. Music CDS of classical pieces or some Beatles related merchandise.
Those images from the big stores are enough to convince peope to not celebrate Christmas. Imagine if rather than purchasing, peoplel volunteered their time and resources. Macy's has a special place in my heart. It is too bad I am too big to plop in Santa's lap. I was allowed to watch it from afar as I heard there was no Santa Claus for the 600th time.
I enjoy celebrating the holidays with family and don't care at all what the GB or JWs think about it.
Any excuse for a bit of magic is okay by me. I was raised celebrating holidays and I love them. JWs stole some of the joy from current holidays, though. I don't kill myself with preparations, but I do enjoy Christmas.
Today (Christmas) was very depressing. Holidays always are for me.
