#173 - Born into prattle
Meet Sonata!
(From December 19th, 2007) Press Hope
So getting up early this morning to arrive half an hour before I usually open the store cost me a glove. It was from a $2 pair of Thinuslates, but now I’ll have a hard time keeping my hands warm until I can replace ‘em. Is it worth it?
I guess so. I’m up, aren’t I? Would you rather I complained? You should expect by now from me attitude that bespeaks hope, even if conjoined by early morning confusion and a little fatigue. Well… moving on.
Christmas - there’s a loaded weapon. Retail experience usually entails impatience, a lot of impulse purchases, some ire, and a lot of annoyance. The traditional spirit of the season is not seen - we have to make it. To me few are clear on the reason for the season, so they invent their own.
Virgin mobile, while arrogant and clearly selfish (blame the nature of business? Good luck - business is what you make it), with it’s “Naughty or Nice. Who cares?” slogan, deserves a few flaming coals in their stocking this year. However, they are a sign of the times. I could gripe about their service, but their low customer base in Canada speaks volumes. Nothing worse than being unpopular in business.
Children are the product of their families, if you catch my drift, and the gift giving season is a harsh reflection on the financial divide. Registration with seasonal charities has increased by thirty percent over last year. What will it be next year? These things are like taxes - do they ever decrease?
I am not convinced that this form of charity will. As we lose focus on the family, the reason for being, and indeed the season, society loses it’s cohesion. Thus follows the loss of tradition - and the frantic scramble to maintain it. Why do we hold on to these things when they have no financial benefit?
The world would tell us to let go of everything for the sake of the moment, the pleasure, the duty, the self. Ultimately no one is unselfish, we all act for others, for the betterment of ourselves. I’ve said this before, but intent is the crux of the issue. Purity gives our acts presence and meaning.
That’s full circle, if you haven’t realized it already. Nothing we take, make, or buy has any value unless we share it with others. It is natural for those who habitually forego big ticket lifestyle to share themselves honestly, creatively, and with genuine warmth and sincerity.
