Or, for that matter, do holidays mean what they're supposed to...any more?
I mean, think about it:
In the U.S., "Memorial Day" is supposed to be a day set aside for remembering those who have fallen in the line of military duty.
But what have we turned it into? Basically a 3 day weekend where we grill, boat, and drink.
It's almost the same with Independence Day (July 4th in the U.S.). It seems now that it's nothing more than another excuse for a (possible) day off work, and another grilling/boating/drinking day. And maybe a parade.
It's the same with Thanksgiving. The name of the holiday tells you what it should be about. But Thanksgiving has turned into "let's gorge ourselves on food with family we may or may not like, then watch football". Oh, and we might (depending on occupation) get a day off in the middle of the week. Yay!
Christmas is the same way. It seems like it's gone from the celebration of the birth of Christ to "Let's see how much debt I can accrue to buy gifts for people". It seems like it's turned more into Santa, Snowmen, Rudolph, and Presents than anything else.
Not to mention that now, most, if not all of these holidays have sales associated with them. Car sales, Mattress sales, heck, even Guitar Center has a "Memorial Day" sale.
And yes, I recognize that not everyone gets to take these days off. And yes, I also recognize I'm just as guilty as doing these things as a lot of people (though I don't own a boat, I have grilled on these holidays, and I've hit my fair share of Guitar Center Memorial Day sales).
But I do honestly make an effort on these days to try to reflect upon what they're really about.
What say you?
I mean, think about it:
In the U.S., "Memorial Day" is supposed to be a day set aside for remembering those who have fallen in the line of military duty.
But what have we turned it into? Basically a 3 day weekend where we grill, boat, and drink.
It's almost the same with Independence Day (July 4th in the U.S.). It seems now that it's nothing more than another excuse for a (possible) day off work, and another grilling/boating/drinking day. And maybe a parade.
It's the same with Thanksgiving. The name of the holiday tells you what it should be about. But Thanksgiving has turned into "let's gorge ourselves on food with family we may or may not like, then watch football". Oh, and we might (depending on occupation) get a day off in the middle of the week. Yay!
Christmas is the same way. It seems like it's gone from the celebration of the birth of Christ to "Let's see how much debt I can accrue to buy gifts for people". It seems like it's turned more into Santa, Snowmen, Rudolph, and Presents than anything else.
Not to mention that now, most, if not all of these holidays have sales associated with them. Car sales, Mattress sales, heck, even Guitar Center has a "Memorial Day" sale.
And yes, I recognize that not everyone gets to take these days off. And yes, I also recognize I'm just as guilty as doing these things as a lot of people (though I don't own a boat, I have grilled on these holidays, and I've hit my fair share of Guitar Center Memorial Day sales).
But I do honestly make an effort on these days to try to reflect upon what they're really about.
What say you?
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