Expectations are interesting things. Stereotypes create a lot of expectations.
Christmas comes with a lot of stereotypes.
(Before I go on I would like to clear something up right away: This intro could very well be a start to a complaint on the Christmas season. I've heard such things many times. The good Lord knows I've pondered such things myself. But for this post I don't want to complain about Christmas. I only want to look at some ideas, concepts, thoughts; things that roll around in my head until they come out through my fingers. That being said...)
How in the world these stereotypes come to be, I'm not entirely sure. Granted, I'm sure the stereotypes are different for different people. We all live in different cultures (even if we live in the same neighborhood). I have never seen a particular movie that some people consider to be a staple in the Christmas experience--I think it's call "the Christmas story" or something like that. You probably know the one, "you'll shoot your eye out." And I'm sure many people have never seen the musical "Scrooge".
Anyway, all this to say that there obviously are differences in our individual perceptions of Christmas stereotypes. That being said, you'll have to forgive me for only using those stereotypes of which I am most familiar. I don't claim to have an exhaustive list.
How do these stereotypes effect Christmas?
I suppose it depends on what it is and how set the person is on the exact perception of how Christmas "should" be.
I know a lot of stereotypes are chalked up to "tradition". Why do we have a tree in our living room? Because we have had a tree in our living room around this time of year every year. It's tradition. Why was it that for many years we always watched a particular Christmas movie on Christmas day? It was tradition.
Nothing wrong with that.
Sometimes, I'm sure, there are things that occur every year so consistently that--though it may not be tradition--they become somehow ingrained in the memory as a natural part of Christmas. Sometimes these things are good, and sometimes not so much.
I've heard that there are many people who find this to be a most miserable time of year because of the loss of a loved one around this time some year previous.
For some Christmas is a joyous time spent with family and loved ones. For others it is a time when they are forced to be in a building with some of the people they hate most in the world. Many of us know the stereotypes of "in-laws", and family feuds.
Then there are the Christmas images:
A bright, glimmering tree wrapped in lights and covered with ornaments. Beneath the tree a neat stack of carefully wrapped presents stands, magnificent to behold, until the eagerly awaited Christmas morning. Outside the snow sits as a cotton blanket over everything in sight. Perhaps a snow man (or woman) sits patiently amid the white landscape. In the evening carolers walk the streets, stopping at each doorstep, and sharing their Christmas cheer with every passer by.
Christmas comes one day every three hundred sixty-five. And when someone has a specific mental image of what Christmas looks like, it can very easily become a great disappointment should that image not come to full fruition. A person could spend his entire life trying to create the perfect Christmas, and in the process ruin--for himself at least--every Christmas every year.
I think Paul might have been on to something when he wrote to the Church in Philippi about the secret of being content in all situations. Of course this ought not to be mentioned without also including the end of his statement: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." This being the key to the secret Paul speaks of. But you can look more into that for yourself.
Christmas is a good time of year. Not perfect, and not always "the most wonderful time." But it is--or at least it can be a good time.
May you all have a most joyous Christmas season!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Telegram For Mr. Smith
Why am I here? What am I doing? What could I be doing? What should I be doing? Where am I going? How do I get there? Who is going with me? When are they leaving? Are they coming back? How do I feel? Do I feel? Why do I not feel? Why do I feel? Where will I succeed? Where will I fail? Why do I fail? Why do I succeed? How long will this take?
I've been home from school for just short of a week now. I had my finals. Finished up the term. I learned a lot these last few months. And yes, a good deal of that learning was academic. It wasn't all parties and games.
Anyway, in this last week I have read an entire book (granted it wasn't a terribly large book), attended the Oregon Symphony, spent some time with my friends, lit off some fireworks, played some video games, and achieved a lot of sleep.
I know I've already written about this here before, but I would like to restate the fact that it isn't easy moving back after getting used to the life I have at school. Granted, it is a lot cheaper for me to live here. But when you get used to a lifestyle, especially a lifestyle that you have a great deal of control over, it's hard to move back into a lifestyle that has to leave room for six other people. I'm not complaining. I'm not stupid enough to not appreciate all that my family does for me. It isn't exactly a wonderful thing for them to have me living right in the middle of everything they are used to. My parents don't have to let me come home for the holidays. I know that I am blessed to have parents who want me to come home.
I must sound like a broken record. It seems like the main thing I tend to address is change. At least since going to college change has been a reoccurring theme. It's not something that I'm afraid of like people in the movies usually are. I grew up hearing all that stuff about how change isn't always bad, and how we often need to accept change. I don't really have a problem with change. I'm not saying that change is easy. It takes work and time to adjust to change. Some change is very painful.
I think there are three kinds of people:
Those who won't accept change; who try to fight change until they are either victorious or until they break down in defeat and frustration.
Those who make change what they want it to be; who accept the change and begin to use it to their own advantage, and for their own purpose.
And finally those who simply accept the change for what it is; who adjust their life to an extent so as to continue living their life as they were with the exception of the change.
I suppose there is a fourth category. Those who let the change determine who they should be, and how they should live; who go beyond the change anticipating the next change and in so doing possibly becoming the next change.
I don't think I would say that any of these types are always wrong. I do think that fighting an imminent change will probably only lead to defeat and frustration. If it is a change that should not be or is against ones beliefs, then there is a time to fight it. But come a certain point the change becomes fixed and there is nothing that one can do about it. In such a case probably the only thing that can be done is to separate one's self from the group or system in which the change has occurred.
I know people who are the type to make of the change what they want it to be. Though this is to an extent also the action of the final two groups I mentioned, I am thinking more of those people who see a situation and search through it for how to make the situation work completely to their own advantage. Perhaps they begin to make changes of their own so as to optimise the change that has occurred. This can be a good tactic, or it can be a bad one. It all depends on who it is and what their motivation is. If it is someone trying to establish a fascist dictatorship, then I think I would have a big problem with it. But it could very well be someone just trying to make the best of a bad--or even of a very good situation.
I would probably fall more into the third group. I'm not aggressive enough to optimise the change for my benefit. So long as it is an acceptable change (not to be confused with a painless change) I will tend to simply adjust my life so as to live with the change. Of course if I'd rather not live with the change, I would probably adjust my life so as to avoid the change altogether. There are times, however, when action should be taken to challenge the change--as I mentioned with the first group.
As for the fourth group, they aren't always bad either. Some times we call them inventors, dreamers, revolutionaries and artist. However, sometimes we call them communist leaders, occult ritualists, murderers and lunatics.
There are two sides to every coin.
I've been home from school for just short of a week now. I had my finals. Finished up the term. I learned a lot these last few months. And yes, a good deal of that learning was academic. It wasn't all parties and games.
Anyway, in this last week I have read an entire book (granted it wasn't a terribly large book), attended the Oregon Symphony, spent some time with my friends, lit off some fireworks, played some video games, and achieved a lot of sleep.
I know I've already written about this here before, but I would like to restate the fact that it isn't easy moving back after getting used to the life I have at school. Granted, it is a lot cheaper for me to live here. But when you get used to a lifestyle, especially a lifestyle that you have a great deal of control over, it's hard to move back into a lifestyle that has to leave room for six other people. I'm not complaining. I'm not stupid enough to not appreciate all that my family does for me. It isn't exactly a wonderful thing for them to have me living right in the middle of everything they are used to. My parents don't have to let me come home for the holidays. I know that I am blessed to have parents who want me to come home.
I must sound like a broken record. It seems like the main thing I tend to address is change. At least since going to college change has been a reoccurring theme. It's not something that I'm afraid of like people in the movies usually are. I grew up hearing all that stuff about how change isn't always bad, and how we often need to accept change. I don't really have a problem with change. I'm not saying that change is easy. It takes work and time to adjust to change. Some change is very painful.
I think there are three kinds of people:
Those who won't accept change; who try to fight change until they are either victorious or until they break down in defeat and frustration.
Those who make change what they want it to be; who accept the change and begin to use it to their own advantage, and for their own purpose.
And finally those who simply accept the change for what it is; who adjust their life to an extent so as to continue living their life as they were with the exception of the change.
I suppose there is a fourth category. Those who let the change determine who they should be, and how they should live; who go beyond the change anticipating the next change and in so doing possibly becoming the next change.
I don't think I would say that any of these types are always wrong. I do think that fighting an imminent change will probably only lead to defeat and frustration. If it is a change that should not be or is against ones beliefs, then there is a time to fight it. But come a certain point the change becomes fixed and there is nothing that one can do about it. In such a case probably the only thing that can be done is to separate one's self from the group or system in which the change has occurred.
I know people who are the type to make of the change what they want it to be. Though this is to an extent also the action of the final two groups I mentioned, I am thinking more of those people who see a situation and search through it for how to make the situation work completely to their own advantage. Perhaps they begin to make changes of their own so as to optimise the change that has occurred. This can be a good tactic, or it can be a bad one. It all depends on who it is and what their motivation is. If it is someone trying to establish a fascist dictatorship, then I think I would have a big problem with it. But it could very well be someone just trying to make the best of a bad--or even of a very good situation.
I would probably fall more into the third group. I'm not aggressive enough to optimise the change for my benefit. So long as it is an acceptable change (not to be confused with a painless change) I will tend to simply adjust my life so as to live with the change. Of course if I'd rather not live with the change, I would probably adjust my life so as to avoid the change altogether. There are times, however, when action should be taken to challenge the change--as I mentioned with the first group.
As for the fourth group, they aren't always bad either. Some times we call them inventors, dreamers, revolutionaries and artist. However, sometimes we call them communist leaders, occult ritualists, murderers and lunatics.
There are two sides to every coin.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
The Question of DOOM-b
It's that time of year again! Yes, that wonderful time of year where you hear the one question that only you would know the answer to, except that you don't...well, if you're like me, you don't.
That question being "What do you want for Christmas?"
Whenever the question comes up (for birthdays as well) I usually don't have any clue what I want. So, as I've done in the past, I am going to put a list right here on my blog to make things easier for everyone. Easier for me because I don't have to remember it all at once, and I can add things as I remember. And easier for other people, because they don't have to put up with my dear-in-the-headlights reaction to "the question."
Let's begin:
1) A CD containing a recording of Mozart's Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major (If the CD has more Mozart or other classics, that's even better.)
2) Computer speakers--it would be cool to have a three piece set with a sub woofer and two desk speakers, but just the two desk speakers would do.
3) A metronome--preferably one that fits in my instrument case.
4) A pair of knitting needles somewhere in the size range of 5-8 US (Not 5-8 mm)
5) Dress shirts or polos are cool--Size Large
6) Clothes in general are usually good gifts. (This includes ties)
7) There is always room for you to be original. Just cause I didn't list it does not mean I won't appreciate it.
Ask yourself, what do you think I need? Maybe go with that.
But let me clarify right now, because I know some of my friends would consider this to be one of my needs. Please, do not try to find me a girlfriend for Christmas.
That question being "What do you want for Christmas?"
Whenever the question comes up (for birthdays as well) I usually don't have any clue what I want. So, as I've done in the past, I am going to put a list right here on my blog to make things easier for everyone. Easier for me because I don't have to remember it all at once, and I can add things as I remember. And easier for other people, because they don't have to put up with my dear-in-the-headlights reaction to "the question."
Let's begin:
1) A CD containing a recording of Mozart's Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major (If the CD has more Mozart or other classics, that's even better.)
2) Computer speakers--it would be cool to have a three piece set with a sub woofer and two desk speakers, but just the two desk speakers would do.
3) A metronome--preferably one that fits in my instrument case.
4) A pair of knitting needles somewhere in the size range of 5-8 US (Not 5-8 mm)
5) Dress shirts or polos are cool--Size Large
6) Clothes in general are usually good gifts. (This includes ties)
7) There is always room for you to be original. Just cause I didn't list it does not mean I won't appreciate it.
Ask yourself, what do you think I need? Maybe go with that.
But let me clarify right now, because I know some of my friends would consider this to be one of my needs. Please, do not try to find me a girlfriend for Christmas.
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