Does anyone but me think that Christmas is a pain?

I don't know when I lost my Christmas spirit, but over the years it has turned out to just be a lot of pressure and frustration and I would rather skip it sometimes.

-Pressure to find a gift that my loved ones will like.
-Pressure when they return it anyway.
-Pressure watching the credit card bill shoot up because of Christmas Expenses.
-Pressure driving in the horrendous traffic in So Cal around Christmas, where a one hour drive will usually take you three, to spend the day with relatives.

Am I the only "Baa Humbug" out there?

 

No. We have simplified things a lot this year. I mean REALLY simplified things. Just too worn out. I hear you about that credit card thing, damn! Even if you go cheaper to cheap it still adds up!

Abner

 

I have young children, so it's fun for me, but when I was single I would have agreed 100%.

 

I am with Bruce and you! This year I am not feeling it. Normally I keep the tree and Christmas decor up till new years but I already told my husband Sunday afternoon the tree is down along with everything else. I do have a 4.5 year old though and I am excited about Christmas for him . We also don't get gifts for anyone but our son and his grandparents. Something we started years ago since we do not live by family and I must say I can't imagine buying gifts for numerous people!

 

I still have not out up a tree!

 

Well, at least I have you beat.

 

I am lucky enough to be spending this holiday with some friends. I am not a Christian and so my perspective is different than many of my friends and degreeinfo members. I am able to participate in fun ways, giving small gifts to people, etc. I like singing christmas carols because many of them represent the original meaning of Christmas which sometimes gets lost in all the dukkha. There is a Buddhist saying, "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." There is a similar holiday in the Buddhist world. It is the birthday of the Buddha and it's generally known as Vesak. It is a time to honor the Buddha and to recommit to the Eightfold Path. Buddhism has many forms, often according to the culture of the given country and each has it's own way to celebrate. So, while you celebrate the birth of Jesus I will be thinking about how Jesus and the Buddha were so much alike. Have a very happy holiday DegreeInfo!

 

That is a wise saying, and it is definitely worthy of reflection.

I am a Christian, and I will be celebrating Christmas, but I do appreciate your input here.

May you be blessed during this season.

 

Thank you.

 

Yes, I have always found that fact to be fascinating.

 

Hey Kizmet,

I don't know if I would necessary call myself a Christian, as I believe God to be a central being. I mainly abide by Eastern philosophies (since the age of 10) as I have said before. However, I can enter any church, and kneel or bow in respect to that faith or way. As such, I respect Christmas and have no problem participating.

I do believe in heaven and hell. As such, I try to simply do the right thing by living in accordance to the golden rule.

Have a good one,

Abner :smile:

P.S. When are you getting another tat? I am tryhing to recall if you had a sleeve?

 

It's funny you should ask. I was at a friends house last night and her daughter asked if she could give me a henna tattoo. She did a traditional Indian full-sleeve on my right arm while we all watched Jim Carey's "How the Grich Stole Christmas" By the way, the girl who played Cindy-Lu Who has gotten all grown up and is the lead singer for an LA rock band. The henna looks fantastic and I'm planning on wearing a sleveless shirt to work on Tuesday. It's like this except it goes to the shoulder. I'm told it will last two weeks before it finally fades away.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=henna+sleeve+tattoos&hl=en&biw=1080&bih=442&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=vqBpL0zL76516M:&imgrefurl=http://www.tattoos-gallery.net/henna-sleeve&docid=cmRBr25nLXpx1M&imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/3972998791_5f08d1834c.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=2CT2TpXMAenDsQLRy9CwAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=568&vpy=146&dur=4493&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=97&ty=127&sig=116439102094161601296&page=5&tbnh=94&tbnw=125&start=72&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:72

My plan is to eventually get all eight auspicious symbols. My first was the auspicious knot. It's about 4inches by 4 inches and is found at the base of my neck. The rest will travel south down my spine. I plan for the next one to be the auspicious conch. It will be significantly smaller but directly below. Sometime between now and springtime.

Buddhism Symbols - Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism

 

I have always been intrigued by Buddhism. I am agnostic actually so my beliefs differ from most as well. I celebrate the general holiday feelings/actions this time a year. My husband actually differs from me and is a believer so we do celebrate some things his way as well.

I hope all degree info members have a safe and happy holiday season!

 

Buddhism is distict from most other religions in that there is no deity. The Buddha was very clear about the fact that he was just a man who attained enlightenment. Buddhism, in it's many forms, is simply a process for discovering your own nature and the nature of the world. Guidelines have been established through experience and these guidelines will help you reach those goals. There are some (monks and nuns) who dedicated themselves to these processes but you don't need to be a monk to be a Buddhist. I consider myself to be a relatively poor Buddhist. I try to follow the Eightfold Path but often I fail. For me Buddhism is like an anchor. It holds me roughly in position while the storm rages. When I am faced with a difficult decision it gives me a framework through which I can decide. While I recognizr that there is an irrational element to the concept of Karma this remains as a core element of my beliefs. I am unaccustomed to these sorts of conversations and so I find myself with many thoughts spinnig in my head. Overall I am happy during this Chistmas season partly because my life is going well and partly because I see no real contradiction between Jesus and the Buddha.

Amazon.com: The Noble Eightfold Path of Christ: Jesus Teaches the Dharma of Buddhism (9781412000130): Thomas Ragland: Books

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Buddha-Parallel-Marcus-Borg/dp/1569754616/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324757463&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Going-Home-Jesus-Buddha-Brothers/dp/1573228303/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324757463&sr=1-2

 

Is that a picture of your personal tat or is it just a stock image of the one you got?

 

That's funny. For some reason, I could swear you had a full japanese sleeve. Now that I think of it, I (got mixed up) was thinking of a girl named Helhn? She started up a DL site about 2 or 3 years ago. I like the theme to your tats.

I've been getting some ink done lately, with a japanese and chinese Shaolin influences, dragons, clouds, ying and ying. Next will be a BIG Tiger.

On that subject, I can't wait to go see the girl with the Dragon tattoo. Looks good.

See ya!

Abner :smile:

 

MC, you win the award for being more "humbug" than me! That Santa probably had to go home and knock back a few after dealing with you! LOL. You are my hero.

 

Merry Christmas to all of you! Yes, the commercial part of Christmas can be a real pain – Christian or not!

 

That's a stock image. Mine is similar in design but covers my whole arm. Ir'll be gone in about two weeks, so I'm told.