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persephone_koreSure, it's overcommercialized. So are Christmas and Easter. You could even make a case for Thanksgiving. (Turkey!) Halloween, by now, comes off as celebrating the chance to costume yourself, eat candy, and act like a loon. (Maybe Halloween comes in for less resentment because it's not really celebrating anything else.)
Sure, it's a celebration of something you should appreciate every day if you've got it. So are Mother's Day, Father's Day... I could go on. Veteran's Day, the Fourth of July -- anniversaries, but same principle.
Overcommercialization doesn't mean something's not worth celebrating at all. That something is worth celebrating and appreciating all the time doesn't mean there should be no special day set aside for it.
I understand that it is painful to be or feel left out. That other people are happy in a particular way and you're not, however, does not mean that their joy or the showing of it is for the express and malicious purpose of making you miserable.
I know I'm not the only one who sometimes feels awkward about posting happy things on LiveJournal because it seems like it's rude when others have said they're unhappy. I've seen other people say so. This seems rather unfortunate. I realize misery loves company, and I realize that it's easy to feel guilty (and sometimes get blasted) for celebrating anything when others are in trouble. But I think I can honestly say that just because I'm having a bad day doesn't mean I want everybody else to be, and while it's good to be able to vent, it's also good to hear that good things are happening.
So, hello everyone! It's Valentine's Day. I'm married to a wonderful man. We love each other very much. We drive each other crazy in the good and bad ways. I'm hoping to go to bed early tonight. (Unfortunately this is more because he has a cold and needs the sleep than for more fun reasons. Can't have everything. Will catch up later.) I'm celebrating right now, if only in spirit. I wish all the rest of you the best. May couples be reminded to appreciate each other; may singles who want someone find someone who wants the same things from a relationship; may singles who are happy that way remain so. May all of you be blessed with good things today and from now on.
Sure, it's a celebration of something you should appreciate every day if you've got it. So are Mother's Day, Father's Day... I could go on. Veteran's Day, the Fourth of July -- anniversaries, but same principle.
Overcommercialization doesn't mean something's not worth celebrating at all. That something is worth celebrating and appreciating all the time doesn't mean there should be no special day set aside for it.
I understand that it is painful to be or feel left out. That other people are happy in a particular way and you're not, however, does not mean that their joy or the showing of it is for the express and malicious purpose of making you miserable.
I know I'm not the only one who sometimes feels awkward about posting happy things on LiveJournal because it seems like it's rude when others have said they're unhappy. I've seen other people say so. This seems rather unfortunate. I realize misery loves company, and I realize that it's easy to feel guilty (and sometimes get blasted) for celebrating anything when others are in trouble. But I think I can honestly say that just because I'm having a bad day doesn't mean I want everybody else to be, and while it's good to be able to vent, it's also good to hear that good things are happening.
So, hello everyone! It's Valentine's Day. I'm married to a wonderful man. We love each other very much. We drive each other crazy in the good and bad ways. I'm hoping to go to bed early tonight. (Unfortunately this is more because he has a cold and needs the sleep than for more fun reasons. Can't have everything. Will catch up later.) I'm celebrating right now, if only in spirit. I wish all the rest of you the best. May couples be reminded to appreciate each other; may singles who want someone find someone who wants the same things from a relationship; may singles who are happy that way remain so. May all of you be blessed with good things today and from now on.
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no subject
Date: 2005-02-14 02:48 pm (UTC)I really don't have anything against people celebrating Valentine's Day. More power to them! I just don't believe in it personally. :P
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Date: 2005-02-14 05:45 pm (UTC)Nope, I think it's good that people are happy in relationships and want to show it. And it's good to post about it. And of course it's also St. Valentine's feast day, so Catholics like yours truly have a saint to remember, as well.
The general misery and gloom for those of us who have been seriously burned by love (especially very recently, le sigh) is really just a very unfortunate side effect. There comes a time when getting a Valentine's Day e-card from your father is more depressing than uplifting. :/
no subject
Date: 2005-02-14 05:51 pm (UTC)*hugs*
Date: 2005-02-14 07:38 pm (UTC)Re: *hugs*
Date: 2005-02-14 07:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-14 09:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-14 10:10 pm (UTC)And speaking as a perpetually single person, I don't find Valentine's Day remotely upsetting. (Mind you, this probably has a lot to do with being single by choice.)
no subject
Date: 2005-02-14 10:14 pm (UTC)Well said - that really hits me right around Christmas time every year.
Happiness is good - yes, sometimes it's painful to see it when I'm down, but I'd far rather have the pain of knowing what I'm missing than the numbness of thinking there's no hope at all.
Happy Valentines Day to you today and all days. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-02-15 01:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-02-15 01:44 am (UTC)