“sometimes, the answers created to address the question of ‘why’ do
more harm than good. There is a ‘because’ for every ‘why’. Some of
these ‘becauses’ start wars. They beget atrocities. ‘Why’ is a
slippery question that lends itself to abuses of power.” – A.J.Axline

With that caution in mind, I’ll go ahead and ask the question: Why do we do things?

I think sometimes we do things just because everyone else is doing them. Many years ago I stopped short one day and wondered why I was drinking coffee. I didn’t really like the stuff. The only reason I could find was because every one else around me was drinking coffee. So I quit. I realized that “because everyone else is doing it” is just about the worst reason in the world to do something.

To be sure, there are things that a lot of people (if not everyone) do, but they should be done for their own merits. Breathing might be an extreme example: everyone does it, and I do it too, but I don’t do it just because everyone else is doing it; I have my own reasons.

Recently we had a cherished family member in the hospital, and they were handing out masks for the visitors.

I can’t help but think that, somewhere, in a small, beige, windowless cubicle deep in one of many office buildings owned by some giant medical supplies conglomerate, someone is laughing.

This time of year has been a time of observances since the planet got its axis tilted (creating seasons) and there has been life around to notice that fact.

For those living in the wild, the change of seasons is critical for timing migrations, breeding, finding food, and just surviving. The Solstice is a key timing mark, and is a sign that (in the northern hemisphere) the worst of winter is yet to come, since we’re still cooling off, but also spring will follow in turn, because the days start getting longer.

Probably because of that, other celebrations and observances have accumulated around this time of year throughout history, be they spiritual or secular: the Solstice itself, Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, Saturnalia, New Year’s, Yule, Kwanza, mall sales, breaking open a new calendar, and many, many more “reasons for the season”.

The neat thing is that this time of year is special to so many of us, regardless of our backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicity, or even species. This is something we all have in common, something we all share. As we come together with Friends &/| Family, let us remember that we also have this connection to every other Earthling.