Christmas With NO Presents?

It’s very exciting to embrace this challenge of “no more impulse buying” and more conscious, thoughtful spending, as you say. And I agree totally with your “ humble beginnings” – both my parents (of course) remember the Great Depression, living on a farm, and they, and I, have always lived accordingly. I was raised on a former chicken farm, had my chores to do each week, etc. etc. We didn’t even buy a TV til 1960! I have more than enough clothes to last me til I die, and it’s pretty much true for everything else as well. I will replace guitar strings, etc., of course!

Feel free to send my NO SHOPPING in 2009 testimonial around if you like. I am going to send it to my circle and challenge/encourage others to join me! 2009 is a great year to do it. We (Lisa and I) have no money anyway!!! BTW, the Yes Magazine article, esp. on “eating local” is fabulous! I will send that around as well!

Brad

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And this one from Gini, a very earth conscious social/peace activist in Seattle:

Hi JoyRae -   Why presents and gifts in the first place at this season of the year?  Of course it is tied to the Christmas traditions of the three kings each bringing a valuable gift to the person acclaimed to be the savior of the world - and about this too we must ask questions.   

In my view we should be giving gifts to the earth itself, so steadily and reliably it does revolve around the sun, allowing predictability of the seasons, and permitting the earth to yield all its varied fruits.  But much of human activity is about nothing other than the raping and ravaging of the earth for highly questionable human usages, systematically, deliberately destroying not only creation but the very, the only, source of our survival.   So, to whom do we owe gifts at this season, especially now that the earth turns towards the sun once again, with already lengthening days presaging spring, light warmth?  We owe to the earth reparations - planting trees, native plants, gentleness, daily consideration.  We owe to all other creatures - those upon whom we directly depend such as bees, bats, butterflies and other pollinators - and those which amuse us and those which clean up after us, predators and prey alike - survival for ever, not annihilation.  

So, let's think about what we can give to the earth today, perhaps not driving, flying or using ever scarcer resources, making do, doing with as little as possible, being ever so grateful that the earth turns, that lights shine in the sky day and night, sun and moon, each bringing its wondrous blessings, beneficently, benignly, beautifylly, enhancing our lives, hopefully for thousands of generations yet to come.  

And as Chief Seattle said:  Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints. 

Peace, and blessings.  Gini

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