This post may sound like a bit of a rant. Okay, it's a flat out rant a Wilberesque "if it did not happen in a research trial, it did not happen"-style rant, if you will. 

My kids were asked by someone the other day if they were ready for school. It wasn't even August (unlike some parts of the southern US, here in the Maritimes we don't return to school until September). My youngest daughter was perplexed by the question and asked us afterwards why adults ask kids such silly questions. Unfortunately there was no good answer to that question, so we simply reminded Clara that it is still the summer so go outside and be a kid (for as long as humanly possible).

A couple weeks back a few Supers somewhere in the US were tweeting pictures of Halloween decorations in full display at an unnamed box store. It wasn't even August. How on earth could people possibly need Halloween decorations in July? Is your planning that intense that you need to have the articles on hand three months before the holiday occurs? Ugh

How is it that we have let ourselves become such slaves to both real and imaginary holidays? It seems like from Valentine's Day to the Super Bowl (don't even mention Christmas) we simply live our lives waiting to buy crap we don't need to celebrate the next "once in a lifetime event". It's even hard not to be a cynical old crank with regards to the Olympics that are taking place in Rio. I love sports and the thrill of competition, but if I watch one more "inspirational vignette" brought to me by Chevrolet, or Coke, or McDonalds

If we are constantly conditioned to lean forward towards the next event, then how can we possibly be present in the life that is happening right in front of us? How can we enjoy a movie or album, when the trailer for the sequel is playing the day after the release of the original? It's as if we are stumbling forward with blinders on, just waiting for the powers that be to point us in the right direction so we can keep right on consuming.

We are in dire need of a vacation from the constant stream of manufactured holidays. It feels like at times we are in a long line that is heading nowhere fast. It's high time we duck out of line and start questioning in what direction we are actually heading. Refuse to be taken in yet again be a flashy commercial that is trying to convince us that we can't live without another piece of crap that "celebrates" our culture.

Presence can be an antidote to this foolishness. If we pause long enough to enjoy the moment, then holidays and events become fun again. Instead of immediately looking towards the next production, we simply take the time to revel in what is actually happening.  Time with friends and family becomes better, and the actual holiday becomes a richer experience. Mindfulness allows us to see through the illusion and get back to what is actually real.

So enjoy yourself. Take a moment and really enjoy yourself. It's worth it.