Friday November 22, 2020 One of my photography teachers posted this about Black Friday and I thought it was so well done, I’m reposting it again.
“Black Friday is the day we trample people for things we don’t need, the day after being thankful for what we have.”
The holiday season should not collapse by default into the “shopping” season. Enjoying the holidays and cherishing those we love should not devolve into stressing out over the holidays, or endless shopping, or something we feel we have to “survive.”
Instead, this year, make it your goal to elicit JOY from the season and be the one person you know who is walking around smiling and happy and content.
This year, instead of obsessing over sales and shopping malls, decide rather to give 10X more thought to making time for those you love, to being more thoughtful and caring and gracious and kind.
Make it your ambition, not to contribute to the heap of junk no one will even care about six months from now, but rather to find ways to deepen your most important relationships and show those you love how MUCH you love them — not by buying them stuff, but by spending time with them, by really listening to them, by going places and doing meaningful things with them.
And as for yourself, sit down today or tomorrow and make a list of the ten most wonderful things you have already. They might be material possessions, sure (your camera, let’s say), but they might also be simple things … like your health, like a journal and a walk in your favorite park, like a stack of great library books you’re excited to start reading, like your recordings of Rachmaninoff’s piano concertos.
We have SO much to be grateful for already. And to repeat something I heard somewhere and find holds so true: “The best things in life aren’t just free … they aren’t even things.”
This Friday the best thing you can do is NOT rush around in traffic all day fighting a bunch of crazies to get in line to buy a bunch of junk no one really needs.
Stay home.
Make a cup of hot cocoa.
Put on some music. Pick up a book. Or take up your pen and journal.
Maybe call someone you love and just spend some time laughing and talking . . . and being thankful that you DO have someone you love, that you CAN laugh together, that you CAN talk with them.
At the end of the call, pause and then just say: “You’re amazing. You know that?”
Opt out of Black Friday. Opt in for a richer, more fulfilling life.
– Sebastian Michaels
Photo of the day: Rowdy plans to chill with friends for Black Friday. They’re all in the barn but he doesn’t mind the snow.
Cathy
Totally agree about Black Friday. But then, I’m not much of a “crowds” person, anytime. Stay safe.
Rowdy looks so cute!
Sunny
Agree 💯 Instead of spending $$ on things you don’t need, donate that $$ to food banks, rescue missions, etc. I have said this many times, I am so grateful that you take the time to share your beautiful life with us.
Gigi Caito
Black Friday and crowds are not my. thing. My Christmas shopping has greatly simplified over the years evolving to small gifts of essentials. Tops on the list is always soap and if you can believe it, I found several bars of Blue Moon Honey Oatmeal and Boyfriend soaps. How did I get so lucky to have that part of my shopping completed! Organic hand creams and lotions are also on the list. I try to give interesting spices since my kids are adventuresome cooks. The best gift for me is to have family nearby. I hope we can do that this year.