Thursday, October 28, 2010

"Holiday Spirit"

As some might have guessed  already, I'm vegan, so I don't eat or use any animal or animal products (meat, fish, eggs, milk, leather... etc.), political aware (or at least try to be) and highly critical when it comes to this society we live in and its ways.

So of course many things worry me in this holiday season that's approaching, Christmas that is. As an atheist I don't really care about the religious aspect of the season, but understand that it's a tradition that is deeply rooted in our society for many many years. People of different cultural backgrounds are somewhat involved in the celebrations or the so called "holiday spirit", even if it is just liking the flashy colourful lights or doing a good deed or two.

This has unbelievable potential to be a time of reflection and altruism, but what we have nowadays is much much different...


1) The dumb consumerism of this society, think about it, we feel the presure to buy something for everyone we know and love, it's like ''they're'' saying ''I want you to spend a lot to prove you love your family and friends''. Why not just a honest thank you? Do we need to buy senseless and sometimes useless things? Wait, I'm not saying that if you CAN buy them without getting in financial problems, not to do it, man go ahead, if they appreciate it and you can afford it, go ahead. I just hear so many people whine that they don't have money and that they have to buy presents for everyone... if you can't afford it, don't do it! Say thank you and best wishes...

2) The dumb waste: paper, plastic, food, energy... the list goes on. How many of us see the mountains of trash on the street the day before christmas? Why so many bags are used just once? Why not wrap things in materials that can be recycled or re-used? Think twice...

3) I obviously know that society does not follow my kind of diet or view things the way I see them, totally comprehensible... This holiday season is filled with sweets, traditional food, candy... Most of those come from animals... wait I know what you're thinking ''ohhh this is where he goes on by saying not to eat meat or how milk products are obtained by enslaving cows..." well I could, but I won't. I'll just ask you to give value, show value for the things you have and the food you eat, animal-derived or not. I hate to see food go to waste, but when it comes to animal products, enjoy it, eat it, whatever you want, but please keep in mind that a animal has given its life for you to have that treat, so don't let any of that go to waste just like that... If you see you're not gonna eat it, freeze it, give it to your relatives, invite your friends to finish it up, give it to the homeless, do something... Just don't let that go to the trash can. Food is such a valuable resource, but we take it for granted too many times...

4) If you don't get the present you had in mind... remember you're in a heck of a lot better position than many people. You received something, you have family and friends with you, you are warm, you have a home and a bed to sleep in, many don't have that kind of luck...


Now have kickass holiday and maybe, since christmas is a time for reflection, it's time to think twice about many things we take for granted.

41 comments:

  1. Just a question, but, are you a vegan knowing that an incredible number of everyday items are made with the meat, skin, etc, of cows and other animals?
    Because it's pretty much impossible to stop using them, even if you wanted...
    Then again, I agree with pretty much everything you said, although I do like beef.

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  2. Christmas has been so blown out of proportion. Shouldnt we give gifts when people are in need and throughout the year rather than all on one day?

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  3. Interesting post, my gf is vegan so I've been getting into that myself.. but I definitely agree about the consumerism in this country.

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  4. ...and the consumers become consumed.

    Someone else said that, can't remember now.

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  5. I hate how companies use the holidays to profit from us. Raise their prices etc. Such a pain

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  6. america in a whole is wasteful. and its good your a vegan stand up for the animals that cant speak for themselves

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  7. 1GN15, I try the best I can to not participate in any way in the funding of cruelty, being it animal or human, but as any intelligent person knows, that is pretty much impossible! I hate that whole 100% cruelty free crap because if you dig deep enough even the most ethical guy on the planet has a negative impact on third world countries or even animals. It's no easy to be ethical towards animals and humans in a non ethical world, but if you know that limitation and try hard as you can, it is always better than not doing anything. But i totally understand what you're saying, thanks for the question!

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  8. when winter comes i cant help but feel a bit ...different... as the season has an effect on all of us...for me has nothing to do with religion

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  9. good thoughts, more people should think like this.
    everything in the world is driven by consumerism, everyones out to make a buck

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  10. my spending habits don't change for the holidays

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  11. I been a vegetarian since 8 years old. I tried being vegan and only lasted 3 months. I respect you vegans :)

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  12. I hate that Christmas starts in october. There are still 2 actual holidays to celebrate :(

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  13. I'm an Atheist that also celebrates Christmas because I enjoy the consumerism.

    I like spoiling the people around me and during this time things are so much cheaper so I don't hold back. But I can afford it so I guess that's ok. :P

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  14. i dont really change my habits for holidays hah

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  15. And this is why I do not celebrate anything. Not Christmas, not birthdays, not Easter...

    Come on, it's a modern world, adapt please.

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  16. All you said is true, people are often swayed by consumerism and forget the true meaning of the season: Santa Claus who died for our sins

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  17. I personally cannot wait until the holidays. I've been saving up to buy things for my family. Basically give back. Speaking of giving back. Thanksgiving is coming up also. Great to spend time with the family. Awesome post man, you really got me into the holiday spirit with this.

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  18. Well bah humbug to you too. Just kidding, good read.

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  19. maybe when i grow up I'll get to be that smart... or maybe not 8-)

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  20. i can't wait for xmas :D:D

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  21. many things i share with you
    keep up the good work bro

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  22. Christmas dinner is my fav time of year. Im goin to get so fat

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  23. Christmas is a very important for Uncle Samta Claus, so shut up and do some holiday shopping :)

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  24. Nice read, I'm an atheist also but I love Christmas..Dinner, presents & family - not the religious stuff.

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  25. You talk about consumerism but fail to see the this consumerism keeps you having this free blog hosted by a large corporate body for you to speak your mind. Without money flowing then the world would be empty. Technology and everything that comes with it is derived from capitalism.

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  26. I really dislike Vegans, they always act like they're superior to other people just because they think their idea is "right"
    We're omnivores for a reason, and the reason is NOT so we can deny eating meat just because we think the animals are cute.
    Nature is cruel and so should we be.

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  27. Thanks Spoonyluv for your comment.

    I do see it though and I know many of the things we have today like this free blog is a part of it, but we have to think about the way we do things in general. Obviously not only bad things came from capitalism, but in my point of view it could be better used to help us grow in so many more ways than just growing your income. I think that the good things can and should be used towards a more community oriented economy and not what we are seeing more and more today.

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  28. HenryG, I get what you're saying as I also know some pretty arrogant vegans, but the truth is those are the ones that aren't going to be around for long, as they jumped in this for the wrong reasons, be it "being trendy", trying to be righteous, etc.

    I don't push my views on people, I get that a lot of people aren't concerned with these topics, but as a part of evolution we have come to recognize some of our past or current mistakes and just because we can do it doesn't mean it's right or wrong, especially because those are subjective matters. Anyway don't worry because my blog will not be focusing on veganism, but as a part of who I am it might pop-up once in a while. Thanks for the comment.

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  29. Thanks for giving me something to think about friend, we all get super wrapped up (ah ha!) in the commercial idea of the holiday that we should just focus on family instead

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  30. so in other words communism? I don't agree with you on that. I worked really hard and went through some tough times to get where I am today, the first 4 months of opening my business had me nearly killing myself health wise, a lot of stress, and being broke all the time, and now I am doing fairly well, why should the lazier be rewarded from my hard work.

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  31. Not really. I'm all for doing your own thing and profiting over hard work, as long as it is a fair business where you don't have to step on other person to profit. A friend of mine has a really successful web designing business he opened on his own on tough times and I'm glad he's successful. Many times we end up doing work for people we don't even know and I think it made us drift a little and get desensitized and that meant people taking advantage of one another. Obviously there are bad and lazy people everywhere and I don't think they should be helped out that way. In my opinion we have to work and get our money but also get something back to your community, be it your neighbourhood or city. If you could do it with your work, awesome! In my case I'm a blood donor and also a volunteer for some associations some human related others animal related. That's the community part I was talking about. If you only work for another country to prosper you might end up in a shitty situation, it has to be a win-win.

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  32. Ok so if we really took the time to get to know our clients then I wouldn't be able to turn a healthy profit. The thing is its fun to get to know clients but when you have large overhead (i.e. employees, machinery consuming electricity, etc) then time is money. I need to get in jobs on the daily to make it. Getting to know my clients would take too much time away from me.

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  33. I've always wondered if I would feel different cutting meat from my diet..

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