Missing out

[Cognisant]

To quote a Dōjinshi I've been reading recently:

Spoiler

In this closed up Gensokyo you have to enjoy every single thing, or you'll miss out.

Yes it's Touhou, weebo I be.

Anyway this philosophy has me reconsidering my usual festive season grinchyness, I mean sure there's no denying it's all a pain in the ass but if one goes through life deftly avoiding conflict, difficulty and work what kind of life would it be? It's all well and good to hold the intellectual high ground and look down on the fools stressing over presents, food, travel arrangements and all the other nonsense that comes with having the Xmas spirit, to point out that it's all not nearly as good as it's made out to be, that we're not smiling nuclear families without a care in the world.

But is it so bad?

Perhaps instead of trying to be Stepford smiling, monochromatic polo-shirt wearing, nuclear families having a white Christmas (too many links for that one) why don't we just focus on having a good time?

*spoken while climbing into a furry green boiler-suit*

What?

*puts on furry green monster mask*

I'm just having a good time

 

[Ex-User (9086)]

Well you don't have to read Doujin to appreciate Epicurean thought.

But is it so bad?

For me it's trying to make others happy and trying not to enrage. Following all the routines and traditions in this festive period.

why don't we just focus on having a good time?

My good time would be similarly abstract to the idea of christmas as christmas are abstract to having good time with your family. Which is totally different ofc.

Grat idea of a good time: Play touhou through xmas.?..rather not

 

[Milo]

I live my life very unattached. This allows me to live in the present moment fully--which means I do not make assumptions on the future. This includes what people might think about something. Just go with the flow, man.

Sometimes I think we get caught in the mode of being a role model and protecting our pride way too much. And, if you're always stuck in that state of mind, you're not even living life naturally or in the way you really want to. I think some people forget how to switch this type of thinking off and just be.

 

[RobdoR]

I too tend to be Grinchy. One year I even emulated the decorations from a Dr. Seuss Book. It was amazing. This year I haven't bothered. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get into the spirit. After all, Christmas is one of the only times other personalities willingly play board games with me. And I'm not going to scoff at an opportunity to play Tigris and Euphrates.

 

[PhoenixRising]

This is a very interesting line of thought. It seems similar to concepts I've been contemplating lately.

It's true that one's experience of anything is determined in large part by their subjective viewpoint. These smiling nuclear families are conforming to social norms because they think that's the only "right" way to perform Christmas. If they did anything else, they'd probably feel like Christmas hadn't happened. (so good luck convincing them to do something untraditional..) It's a curious dynamic though, one I find interesting to watch and contemplate.

In truth, there is nothing forcing those of us who think outside of the cultural mindset to participate in traditional behavior. We don't even have to stick around to observe it, if we don't feel like it. If there is no way to enjoy the social climate for what it is, one could always attempt to liven it up by doing what they want, or by abandoning the scenario altogether. So why not wear a furry boiler suit and play limbo while drunk on tequila?

In the meantime, here's a theme song:

http://youtu.be/ZgP0aUKlmNw

 

[Words]

Subjectivity is freedom. You can value anything and thus act towards anything. Instinctual value is probably the real enemy here.

To enjoy difficulty and work.. Can that still be called difficulty and work? Physicially, it seems obviously the same but I think there's a critical difference here mentally.

 

[doncarlzone]

Instinctual value is probably the real enemy here.

Oh yes. If only our values were determined by rational thought alone.

 

[Cognisant]

If only...

 

[Words]

I don't see why it can't be. I think all it takes is more self-understanding. More Fi. (Fi allows for the awareness of one's own values and emotions and how they behave as we interface with reality) It's interesting how very unaware we are of these seemingly elementary things. In order to stop worrying about having to sacrifice one value in relation to another, all you need is a little more internal value harmony.