Blessings
of a Non-Consumer
“Black
Friday: Because only in America, people trample others for sales exactly one
day after being thankful for what they already have.” (Unknown)
I have
a confession to make—I’ve never been shopping on Black Friday. I don’t think I’ve
ever wanted anything enough to push and shove and cram myself into a maniacal
crowd for it. I understand that makes me a terrible American consumer, but so
be it. I’d like to say that I understand why people go crazy on Black Friday,
but I truly don’t. Others have tried to explain it to me—"it’s the
savings, stupid!” Or “it’s being able to get something for almost nothing.” But
if I have to be body-to-body with a mad, crazy person who will rip my head off
for an acrylic sweater (or even a cashmere one), no thanks.
At any
rate, in my worldview, Black Friday is one of the many made-up “holidays” that
celebrate excess and stoke the fires of greed that are already flaming in America.
I’m not an especially religious person, so those aren’t “sinful” things to me. And,
Lord knows, I am no puritan. But that avarice is one of the valid reasons we
are viewed by the rest of the world as “ugly Americans” and I don’t want any
part of it.
If you
love to go shopping on Black Friday, more power to you. Give me a cozy corner
somewhere and let me read a book. (I’m reading The Power of One by Bryce
Courtenay right now and it’s wonderful.) A cup of coffee, a biscuit, and a sunbeam
to warm me, and I’m one happy woman. Simple pleasures on this day after Thanksgiving.
And blessings to you from a committed non-consumer.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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