05.20.08
Festivus in May!
I wish this holiday could actually be observed, let alone at any time of year you choose! Coined by George Costanzas father on Seinfeld back in the day it was a holiday celebrated on the 23rd of December. One of the fundamental ideas was to sit around a table with your family and friends and tell them how they have disappointed you in the past year! Imagine that! Putting all of that aggravation to rest at one collective time! I know it seems mean, but really…wouldn’t it be nice to freely voice our grievances in a safe environment? Problem is, that safe environment doesn’t really exist.
There have been times when I have been treated unfairly by someone and have had to bite my tongue out of fear of offending them or just having them get up and walk out on me. At the same time I would say to myself, “God, I would really like someone to tell me if I did that, just so I might learn from it and avoid it next time”. But something stops me from doing it. I know its my bad, but seriously, most people cannot handle it when you express yourself in a way that holds them accountable for their actions. In fact, is usually has the reverse effect: you end up feeling bad for giving them the facts and YOU are made to feel like you are “too sensitive”. Often times this is just an excuse for someone to not take responsibility for what they have done.
Obviously, honesty is often not a welcoming thing. By honesty, I am not referring to tearing someone to shreds based on their appearance and abilities. I used to work with someone with who thought that was the definition of honesty. That, my friend is the definition of insecurity. :0)
I digress. My point is that being honest can get you into trouble when it should be admired, and rewarded. Its hard in this world to be truthful at times, especially when you really want to express what is in your heart, and you know it might hurt, offend or embarrass the other person.
I know Festivus is a silly idea for the most part but in the midst of the drama and crazy feelings I have been having in my own life recently, it doesn’t seem so far fetched. We may not be too far away from seeing it on a calendar one of these years…
Miss S said,
May 21, 2008 at 8:08 pm
being honest can get you into trouble when it should be admired, and rewarded. Its hard in this world to be truthful at times, especially when you really want to express what is in your heart, and you know it might hurt, offend or embarrass the other person.
You said it perfectly! I would love to have Festivus soon, I might even have to but without it being reciprocated. I think maybe one of the cool ideas behind Festivus is that the person or persons being Festivsed on are open to it, even expecting it so maybe, by some miracle, they have taken a personal inventory and know and expect to be apologizing for some of their behaviour. In our world there never is a moment when people stop and say, have I fucked you over recently? Well, there is, its called AA and only the “really fucked up” people end up there…
I will Festivus with you any time of year!