Relative Something

There are plenty of aspects of our lives, of society and its variety of traditions available to be unwrapped at this time of year. More than I can do justice to explore in the limited time I can reserve to actually compose in words the wide variety of thoughts I experience. It is much easier to just go with the flow; to play the superficial role of a smiling, happy consumer, member of my community and member of my family.

I truly believe there is a wealth of valuable raw material available in the thoughts and feelings that exist just below the surface of our activities and experiences when November and December events and holidays arrive. Choosing to actually recognize them and even take conscious action to mine them for purposeful application is one step further than I think most people feel they have signed up for.

But the reality is that we tend to find we are dealing with life challenges whether we want to or not. Some are simple. It’s not that everything needs to be at a level that determines life-long commitments or vows of loyalty or questions of spiritual faith and moral value. Some involve choosing to be less wasteful.

For most of my life, I have been inclined to want to wrap presents in old Sunday newspaper comics pages. It was born more out of a contrarian attitude to be counter to the culture that produced and marketed wrapping paper. Now it is becoming more renowned as a “green” choice. Whatever. Save the planet, or avoid contributing to the over-commercialization of the season. Consider wrapping your gifts in something that you didn’t purchase to wrap a gift with this year. I think it’s fun.