Holidays
A holiday is a special day set apart to celebrate something. Originally from the words, Holy Day, holidays have their roots in religious celebrations. Today we celebrate holidays that mark national and political days, birthdays, seasons, and remembrances as well as religious traditions.
July 4th is a holiday in the United States, a day to remember the declaration of independence from England. It is celebrated with particular foods that usually include backyard grilling, camping, concerts and fireworks. Mostly it involves being with friends and family.
Hindus celebrate Holi, a spring festival associated with Krishna where people throw colored talc on each other.
Muslims celebrate Ramadan, a month of fasting during the day and feasting at night.
Jews commemorate Passover and remember the time when God delivered them from Egypt.
Christians mark Christmas and Easter, seasons associated with the arrival and sacrifice of Jesus the Christ.
These holidays make us pause to remember and reflect on important things, connect us to God, and restore our souls.
We need holidays. We need to remember. Sometimes we need special days to make us cease from our labors and spend time with people. We need holidays to stop and smell the roses.
The English talk about “going on holiday,” what Americans would call “going on vacation.” Whatever you call them, we need them.
Sundays are holidays we get to celebrate every week!
I came to the realization a few years ago that Sundays are a gift. As much as I’d like to believe it, I do not have endless energy. I need days off. I need days to do nothing. If I choose to work on Sundays and other holidays, I am looking a gift horse in the mouth; I’m just being stupid.
I have a new philosophy about Sundays. I only do things that give me life. I sleep in, spend time in reading and meditation, go for walks in the mountains, watch uplifting documentaries or movies, and go to Pilates (exercise) class. It’s a day when “have-to’s” are ignored and put on hold.
How are you about enjoying your holidays? Are you a workaholic that thinks you don’t need them? Newsflash: You are human just like the rest of us, and you need a break!
Make a pact with yourself to slow down and smell the roses. Spend time with loved ones. Recharge your batteries. Restore your soul.
I promise you will be a better and more enjoyable person.
A book I’ve found helpful is The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath.
