Black Friday Blahs

Early Black Friday (BF) Specials are being announced everywhere. They’re in the newspaper and arrive through my email. They’re showing up in the mailbox and as important announcements on voicemail. 

My first instinct is panic. If all these great specials (and I’ve seen quite a few) are being offered now, they’ll be gone before Thanksgiving. Should I max out the charge card and go now while the getting’s good?

The next feeling is compassion. There are millions of people who plan their BF shopping trip all year long. They will either be disappointed because the good bargains are gone or upset because they jumped early and could have saved more. 

There are bargains everywhere!

 

Finally, curiosity got to me. Isn’t this sale of all sales celebrated the day after Thanksgiving or at least starting Thanksgiving afternoon? I headed over to my favorite search engine to get some legitimate and/or wildly imaginative answers.

It turns out the semi-official day started as the day after Thanksgiving and gradually worked its way up to retailers opening early. Hours lengthened to add Thanksgiving Day in 2011 and 2012. It will be interesting to see how the numbers reflect what is considered “THE” busiest shopping day of the year, with all the earlier hoopla taking place. 

Tweed Heads' Shopping Centre in Australia is still busy in the new millennium.

I think I’ll stay home and have a turkey sandwich and another piece of pumpkin pie.

Which season earns most of your shopping time?

Celebrate Chicken Soup for the Soul Day

Did you know it's Chicken Soup for the Soul Day?

Wow! Today is Chicken Soup for the Soul Day. Although I’ve read several of the Chicken Soup books, I did not realize the publisher had a day set aside to recognize the happiness and motivation that comes from their short stories.

Smiles to and from cats.

November 12^th  is the day for celebrating who you are. I am so glad to have a warm, happy smile that comes automatically to my face when I see another person or the animals around my home. Cats, dogs, rabbits, and quail – they all get a big grin and cheerful hello. We are all God’s creatures and share this wonderful Earth together.

Rose gardens aren't always easy peasy!

 

Another part of the celebration is remembering where you have been. Even rose gardens need care and cause pain at times from a thorn or the effort it takes to keep them beautiful.  Instead of concentrating on the difficulty of times past, celebrate your ability to rise above the trouble and continue your journey!

Part of the journey is celebrating where you are going. Why drag from day to day when it’s more exciting to set a goal and cheer each time it’s closer?

The final purpose of this special day is thinking about the people you will thank when you reach your goal. Maybe it’s finally getting a high school diploma or college degree after dropping out in your earlier years.  It could be the excitement of starting a blog, ending an unhappy relationship, or knowing that you matter.

Teaching someone to read.

 

Sharing food and celebrating life.

I remember being 10 years old and my friend Vicki solemnly informing me that there would always be toilets to scrub.



Today I celebrate that despite years of scrubbing toilets, there have been happier events on my journey. I’ve taught children and adults to read and planted gardens that have produced fresh vegetables and fruit for family, friends, and food bank deliveries.

There are so many reasons to celebrate our existence. What special part of yourself will you celebrate today?