I still like you
Posted on 19 December 2007 by Clive Gott
I received this email from my friend Ivor today.......
Hello Clive
>
> I hope you are well both physically and spiritually.
>
> Having just finished writing my latest speech which is all about
> finding yourself and the things that actually matter to you, I came
> to a conclusion; 'thinking' was no longer enough, 'action' was what
> was needed.
>
> So, the things that matter to me are the environment, a local
> community and the reinstatement of 'work' as spiritual food and not
> as a predator.
>
> As a result, I looked closely at some of the things I do
> 'unconsciously' and evaluated them. One of these things was the
> consumerism at Christmas time. It seemed that consumerism was driving
> the entire premise of Christmas.
>
> Action was needed and so I have made every effort to curtail this
> trend. One of my measures was to stop sending Christmas cards. When
> speaking to Sarah about this she said "but how will people know that
> we still like them?"
>
> "Why don't we just tell them in some other way?" I replied.
>
> So here it is, our environmentally friendly greeting that says we
> still like you.
>
> By the way, I have no objection to people sending us cards if they
> wish. It is not for me to tell people what to do. I am simply
> explaining why you haven't received one from us. We will also be
> making a donation to a charity with the money saved from not sending
> cards.
>
> Finally, thank you for your understanding and enjoy your journey.
>
> Ivor & family
THIS WAS MY REPLY
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- Food for Thought
Comments
Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy ~ forgiveness.
To an opponent ~ tolerance.
To a friend ~ your heart.
To a customer ~ service.
To all ~ charity.
To every child ~ a good example.
To yourself ~ respect.
Warm fuzzies to everyone...
I don't agree... I no longer send any Christmas cards for the sake of it, because I should, or because they're expected. Of course the people I care about I am in communication with and therefore it wouldn't matter if I sent them a card or not in the least, that's a matter of choice. However, there are people that I love to send cards to and receive cards from, who at some time or other have been part of my life in a special way and I think it's lovely to share that gratitude that our paths have crossed by way of a card at Christmas time. Sure there are other ways and times you can do this and maybe I'm just a bit of a traditionalist. Think it would be a bit sad if nobody sent cards anymore, especially the home made ones. Agree with you about the presents though and proud to say our three children are getting home made bows and arrows for Christmas instead of a load of plastic consummer shite, like a plastic horse for £300 that you can carry around the house (what the hells that about) ; and I'm certain they'll be made up. Merry Christmas!
Having sent no cards at all this year I have yet to receive a message from anyone telling me that they will be taking me off their list of friends. For the record this is my fourth Christmas in this house and I have received more than six cards for the previous owners......doesn't that alone tell you something about the falseness that is covered up by sending a card. I agree with Derek when he says a lot of cards that arrive have obviously come through a production line. A little like those letters you get following a network meeting saying "it was great to meet you yesterday" and you didn't even go. They just sent the same false drivel to everyone on the attendence list.
Ho hum. Let's see what next year brings and lets all keep a record of everyone who says they don't want to speak with us anymore because we didn't send them a card.
Happy new year all.
Clive
A lovely idea posed by Tracie.
2008 will be a challenge and a new opportunity.
Hi Guys, Having moved around quite a bit and having family flung around different corners of the globe (many unable to be part of the technological revolution) I personally send and receive LOADS of cards. It isn't a flash thing I do it to keep in touch. When Christmas is over I carefully go though each of the cards making sure I have read and diested each. Some of the more clever / funny / interesting ones go into one of my "Happy" boxes ( of which I have 4 or 5) which come outevery now and again if I feel I need a booster. Others have interesting bits cut out of them for making into new greetings cards. Because the cards I send are generally a bit unusual they always get commented on and my friends like them. So for me that works. This year my family and close freinds have all made the pledge not to buy Christmas pressies for each other ever again. The gift we have promised each other is that of time and we have already got a number of dates in the diary to spend time together during 2008. When we do get together there will be plenty of photos taken and sometimes afterwards journal notes made and they all contribute to my Happy boxes. These are all relativly low £ activities but the investment payback is priceless.
A happy healthy and wealthy 2008 to all Gotties!!
Well done Lynne. We forget what we can do with time. Giving it to those around us who are most important is a great thing that accomplishes so much. Sounds like a happy 2008 is in store for you all.
Enjoy it.
Any quality time that families find to spend together is a good thing.
It is true that many in buisness today prefer to donate to charity than send Xmas cards. Not a bad thing at all.
How many cards do you get where it is clear you were part of the assembly line.
I look back on the adventures had with people in 2007 and warm to the memory.
Sadly, the reasons many labour Xmas has little to do with goodwill and more to do with selfish pursuits.
Real giving is a lifestyle, done daily and without fuss.
Teachers insist kids should believe in Santa Claus and the Archbishp of Canterbury offers a mere mans perspective that leaves you wondering where it supports the real story of Christ.
No wonder christianity is in denial.
The other historic myth is of course that the birth was notin December.
Whatever else that says it reaffirms that commercial interest is now at the heart of the custom.
Lets rise above it and ensure that those who matter are reassured of our constant love and respect.
Have a great holiday everyone.
Keep stimulating debate Clive. The four presents must be for very special people.
by Derek Carpenter : 19/12/07 16:56