Sacred Hedonism

A friend of mine posted this from the Guardian today:
"I am not lamenting the spiritual deficiency of the modern west, how we have lost the benefits to the soul of regular abstinence now that we have forgotten how to fast. What I am concerned about is that we have forgotten how to feast. It seems to me that, for all our hedonism, our fasting forebears enjoyed their revelries more than we do, because they had to wait for them. We are like kids who peep through the wrapping paper.I surprised myself this year giving up meat for Lent. It forced me to consider some meaty issues - but how I enjoyed my Easter Sunday roast! So this month I'm giving up Christmas for Advent."

When was the last time you participated in Hedonism? Sacred Hedonism. Feasting is the Sacred Gluttony and Hedonism. A time and place where we band together and celebrate life, or death but always community. I think I agree that somewhere along the way we have lost our feasting. I disagree about the fasting, knowing all the kinds of diets people are on and all the anorexics out there. But truly what do we look forward to at the Holidays? I look forward to family togetherness. I look forward to not having to work. I look forward to being able to give people a gift once a year where they aren't shy to rip into the paper.

The act of giving. I hate expected gifts they feel forced and obligational. I like to give gifts because I want to. I am not a good gift giver yet. I tend to be with some exceptions, stingy and money grubbing and budget my money to the last penny. So giving gifs doesn't work well for me in my logical planning brain (but I’m working on it). However I love to give people new experiences and have their faces light up. I love to be there when they go through a life change and a moment in time. I love to be that catalyst that can make it happen, I never get tired of seeing it. They are proud moments for me when I can make it all come together for someone when they laugh and give me the thumbs up and I know they will never be quite the same. Sometimes it is just a one shot deal and sometimes people are like me and seek out what they haven't done and seize it. Sometimes they stretch beyond what they feel they could do, get naked in public, jump out of an airplane, climb a building in a rain storm, swim in the lightning, sing in front of a crowd.

Back to the idea of Sacred Hedonism. I like it, I like it a lot. I want to throw a party where you must get out of control, where Hedonism is required. Drink till you are dizzy, smoke till your eyes are red, dance till you can't move or make out till you are covered in marks.

Celebrate being alive.