Holidays always remind me of powerful influence of authority. They are chock full of traditional pressures which seem to demand that-no matter what—we celebrate.
During any holiday, we expected to act in certain ways. We feel we must write to family members or call them on the telephone. We are expected to carry on specific traditions which pertain to the culture we live in, such as decorating the house, lighting candles, purchasing gifts, or walking in a parade.
It’s interesting to be aware of the pressure we can experience within if we don’t follow usual holiday routines. One of the most interesting is how we can find ourselves depressed when we should be feeling happy. After all it’s a holiday!
Can a true holiday be joyfully experienced if it’s enforced by tradition?
When do we really feel the happiness and freedom which is supposed to be an ingredient of a true holiday? Isn’t it when we don’t feel pressured to think or act in designated ways — when we can act from how we actually feel?
Can a true holiday be experienced when the holiday is enforced by tradition? When we are pressured by traditional authority to be happy, to have parties, and to have fun, we may not feel anything of the kind.
In fact, we may feel depressed. So many people experience depression during holidays. Could this be why?
Isn’t a real holiday when we are free from inner pressure to conform, when we are not obligated to follow traditional authority when our minds are alert and observant and in touch with life?
Why aren’t our lives full of feeling freedom and happiness?
Is it because we look to an authority to provide them are for us? God, the country, marriage, family, community — all of these are expected to provide us with gladness. And when these fail, there is always the upcoming holiday to pick up our spirits!
Can we find bliss in instruments of authority in our lives – those things which are programmed to provide us with the happiness we crave? Can we really plan happiness? Or is happiness what we feel when we aren’t being told by anyone how to be happy, or when we are free from any inner or outer pressure to conform to authority.
Right now, I’m enjoying writing this, feeling that I’m in touch with every word. I can feel the vibration in my hands from the computer, the quietness of the office, and the beauty of the blue background on the computer screen. This is a real holiday to me.
