Traditions

It is amazing how quickly the mindset changes when one adopts the minimalist outlook. Here, it is not even a month since I started this journey and yet I see such a radical change in how I perceive things. While there are some hard choices coming down the chute, I realize that my mindset is what will carry me through.

Xmas time is approaching and I find myself thinking about what a waste of time a lot of this is. Now, dont get me wrong. I know there are people of faith who take this time of year very serious since it is central to their mindset. However, there are so many who do not fit into this category.

I noticed an interesting thing the other day. My mom sent me a check for Xmas since I never tell her what I want. Hell, anything she would buy me most likely would end up in the recycle pile. Cash is something that I can always use. However, there was an interesting situation that arose.

My mom sent me $150. That was very nice of her and I do appreciate it. In return, I purchased her a nice wooden statue of a cat. She likes them and I think it will look nice at her house. Also, since my daughter is driving, I am giving her money for Xmas to help her offset some bills. When I totaled all of it up, it was a wash. What I took in is what I gave out.

Now, I know the holidays are not a time to profit. My point is why go through all the complication of the process. Why didnt my mom just send my daughter the money, buy herself the cat, and avoid the middle man (me) altogether? Yeah, I know, this isnt the spirit of Xmas.

But this got me thinking at a deeper level. How much of our lives is dictated by tradition? Why do we do things every year without even considering how they were done? Because we, as a rule, are a lazy population. Questioning is something that children do but adults are broken of that habit. The indoctrination into society includes buying into the traditions that are established for us. So,we blindly follow without thought of how insane our behavior is.

Thus, I understand the foolishness of this Xmas tradition. Giving gifts is wonderful in many instances. Yet, in my case, I was simply following blind tradition. Now I am aware of it. Does that mean I am going to stop in the future? Not necessarily since I know the expectation is there on the part of others. Nevertheless, it is the awareness that is important. From here on any time I adhere to this tradition I do so with my eyes open. If I opt to follow it, that is on me.

Look at the traditions that you obey like a dog. I am sure there are many that you never questioned. Uncovering these helps to locate those areas where we give power over to others. Freedom cannot exist without this awareness.