'Tis The Season

Tis the season to give or to receive?

It’s holiday season (ay)! I’m sure that reference went right over my mainstream music listeners. Between the months of November and January, holidays are celebrated all over the world. That’s why I always say “Happy Holidays” even after the awkward and confused looks thrown at me by non-cultural people. Yes, there are more than just Christian holidays that are celebrated, even if they live in the United States. But that’s not the topic here. During the holiday season, we tend to focus on our relationships with friends, family, ourselves, and preparation for the upcoming year. It’s also a time of reflection. Did we accomplish last year’s goals? Did we make any progress on all of those should’ve could’ve would’ve goals? This time is also for gift giving. But it also pushes you to contemplate if we are giving to give or giving to receive.

Gift-giving, to me, is usually a year-long process. If I’m truly gifting, I want it to be a gift that is actually needed or desired. That takes time in studying a person’s interests, dislikes, and needs throughout the year. It’s listening and paying attention to the things a person doesn’t bring up. Then there’s the materialistic argument that we could delve into or the overconsumption of goods our society has vastly gravitated to. But a true gift is thoughtful and individualized. It's similar to how we treat each other. We give the gift of our presence and time to each other every day. Is it out of pure love or are you hoping to gain something in return? Are you around certain people just for a chance to advance? Are you spending time with someone just so you can hit? Are your intentions pure, thoughtful, and individualized or are you just moving in hopes of a return? Not every relationship has to be this thorough but it's truly something to think about when it comes to every relationship you have with the people in your life. I think all the time of how much I truly value people and if it's pure intentions or intentionally transactional with a desire for something in return. You’d be surprised at how many relationships you have with people on either side. To determine whether that type of relationship is good or bad is completely up to your discretion. It’s just something to think about during the holiday season. But hey what do I know!?

Tristiny