‘Tis the Season & Other Stuff Episode 39

‘Tis the Season & Other Stuff… Episode 39

In Episode 39 of The Djuna Shellam Podcast ‘Tis the Season, I dive into controversial territory. I also talk about the idea of being in the moment and appreciating that moment, even if it seems like the worst moment ever.

And, of course, I touch on the weather (cold); and, one of the best things about being an author.

Tis the Season Controversy

Generally speaking, I try to stay away from third rail topics, but every year, this one issue affects me personally.

Once the holiday season begins, whether that beginning is Halloween or Thanksgiving, well… “it” begins. The controversy, that is. What is it? The notion that depending upon who you’re addressing, only one holiday season greeting is acceptable—Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays. Period.

Just prior to recording this week’s episode—in fact, just that afternoon—it began. Here it is, the first week of December, and in parting I said to someone I know, but not that well,

“If I don’t see you before then—I hope I don’t (he’s a repairman), I hope you have happy holidays.”

His knee-jerk response? Merry Christmas! Sigh. Okay. I replied with a smile, “Merry Christmas,” though there are other holidays between now and New Year’s, but… okay.

First of all, I don’t know him well enough to know his belief system. Is he Jewish? Is he Atheist or a host of other possible religious or non-religious possibilities? Happy Holidays is generic, all-inclusive, and… kind. Me? I don’t celebrate Christmas; yet, when I’m wished Merry Christmas, I simply reply, “Merry Christmas to you.” How freaking hard is that? I do not and will not ever insist others believe what I believe.

Other Beliefs Share The Season

Yes, it tis the season. I celebrate Yule, an ancient tradition of my heritage, but… each year I am forcefully “reminded” that Jesus is the reason for the season. Well, not for me and millions of other people it isn’t. And, just for the record, Yule preceded Jesus and Christmas by thousands of years (though we don’t know much because pagan and heathen religions were destroyed and appropriated by Christianity over the centuries).

On the actual day of Solstice/Yule, I will wish people Happy Yule or Happy Solstice and will often get MERRY CHRISTMAS in reply. But… it’s Yule/Solstice, and Christmas isn’t for another four days. I’ve also been scolded for my Yule tree which also predates Christianity by people who insist their way is the ONLY way. Why? Why the insistence that everyone bend to another’s belief system? What is that?

This subject is far more complex than a couple of greetings, and I’ve only just scratched the surface, but…

The point of me bringing this up and sharing my annoyance (and disappointment) is to remind people that they can embrace and be proud of their belief system while still being kind to others. Believe what you believe. It doesn’t hurt me—until you deny me my belief system. If you’re strong in your beliefs, how can another’s threaten your own? Insisting everyone have universal beliefs seems to be more about control more than anything.

It is not my intention to insult anyone; rather, it’s to shine a light on this controversy. It’s my opinion that ‘Tis the Season means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. No matter who you are, I don’t think it’s the time of year to demand your meaning is the only meaning.

Other Stuff…

How many times in my life have I bemoaned my immediate situation, thinking nothing could be worse than right then? Too many to count. However, when I look back, almost without exception, there are aspects of that moment or that time period I would want back in a heartbeat. After many, many years of self-examination, I know that about myself. In the moment, especially a terrible moment, it’s difficult to adopt a mindfulness of gratitude or appreciation, but it’s worth trying. With that idea in mind, I often use it in my writing. Maybe my character understands it her or himself in the moment, or they don’t. Either way, it’s an aspect of character building I find extremely helpful. Is it blatant in my writing? No. Does it make a stronger or more believable character? I think so. I hope so, anyway.

One thing I think is pretty cool about being an author is that I know everything my characters are thinking. It’s like having a super power which I don’t have in real life—and thank goodness I don’t. I know what’s in my head, and I sure wouldn’t want anyone being able to tap into that! Why? Crazy town, people. Crazy town. That’s all I’ll say about that. Ha!

Seriously, as a young child, when the realization hit me that I could NEVER know what other people were thinking (in particular, my mom), and no one could EVER know what I was thinking… well, it was powerful. To this day, the concept still kind of boggles my mind.

Changes

I’ve been having difficulty with my website loading sooooo slowly or going offline for no reason. In particular, the problem is with my web host. Their answer now to my site’s issues is to send me links rather than helping me as they’ve done during most of the 15 or so years I’ve been with them. These days I can barely understand the foreign techs they now employ, and when I’ve attempted to use the links they send in lieu of doing their job, I’ve only made a bigger mess of things.

Changing hosts is a huge undertaking, but I’m at my wits end. I’m hoping to get moved over by the end of the year. In the meantime, please be patient as the site loads. I know it’s excruciatingly slow, but it does load.

Here is Episode 39 for your listening pleasure.

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‘Tis the Season for Prezzies!

If you are looking for presents for your reader friends/family, might I suggest The Em Suite Series? Amazon currently has a few of my titles seriously discounted.

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