Why Not Mention Holidays?

Over the past week, I've gotten a lot of emails reminding me to tell people "Happy Easter." Most of the emails asked why I don't often post blogs about holidays. I do, but with a different perspective.

Not everyone is ready to celebrate. Not everyone celebrates the same holidays.

The first is simple: Many people don't celebrate Easter or Christmas. That would include Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Quakers, Sikhs, Taoists, Hindus, Jehovah's Witnesses, Pagans, atheists and several others that don't jump to mind.  Those people feel left out and different in our culture. I'd like them to feel part of something inspiring and I welcome them on my blog. Creativity doesn't have a religion. I've often said that creativity IS my religion.

Second: Many people remember friends and loved ones who are no longer with them. It's easy to feel alienated and alone when people are celebrating and you feel lonely and sad. I'd like people to find a place of comfort and rest, and I try to create that on holidays.

We don't like to think about lonely and sad. It's scary, those places that require comfort and care. We don't know what to say to those who are sad. If we are suffering, we feel guilty for ruining other people's joy. It's a tough place to be, and knowing that there's a blog where you can be yourself might be a comfort.

I've posted blogs about being alone on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not everyone likes to be alone, but there are sports that work well–hiking, walking, jogging, even squash and handball can be played alone. Of course, I can also recommend reading or listening to audiobooks, drawing, journaling, knitting–whatever creative project heals you is a good project for when you are feeling lonely.

Celebrate the holidays that bring you joy, comfort, and community. And if you are not in the mood for celebrating, you aren't broken. Happy isn't the destination emotion, it's a way of being. And sometimes, it's hard.

–Quinn McDonald is a certified creativity coach and a holder of the space that allows for different.

 

Filed under: In My Life, Opinion Tagged: celebrating differently, Easter, postaday2012, sad on the holidays