Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Intentional Family

For my beloved Family Recreation class we have been reading two inspiring books.
The first was Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute... a very good book I would recommend to anyone.
The second is The Intentional Family by William J. Doherty. If you value family rituals, this book will facilitate implementing valuable rituals that will bring your family together.
If you ever get bored.. these are great books.

Ok, so yesterday I was reading about the family rituals of Thanksgiving and Christmas. I would like to share a thought with you.

"Americans have grown inured to crass commercialism taken to excess... But somehow Thanksgiving has resisted the blandishments of an age of avarice... In a nation where the mall never palls and seven-days-a-week shopping seems enshrined as a civic religion, Thanksgiving stands out as an oasis of tranquility and a reminder of the values that once tempered American materialism. This Thanksgiving give thanks for the one holiday that cannot be bought."
Walter Shapiro, Time magazine

I have to admit commercialism of holidays can sometimes be fun (what would Valentine's day be like without commercialism? What would Christmas be like without stockings, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus?), but it is a beautiful thing to realize that Thanksgiving has somehow escaped the hand of commercialism. I feel almost as though Thanksgiving gives a greater opportunity for sincere reflection and genuine family time than any other holiday. While cooking a meal is hard work, that's usually the extent of it. No Thanksgiving parties to go to.... No planning months in advance and breaking the bank... it is truly a holiday focused on family.

I encourage you all to take advantage of the opportunity we have every holiday to build meaningful rituals and strengthen our families. I believe it can make an eternal impact on families!

6 comments:

Sarah said...

I love that!

also... The tile is little... but my sister in law made a big one.
Mine is about 6" by 6".
They are super easy too it just involve a lot of modge podge (I doubt I spelled that one right!)

Casi Bludorn said...

Those sound great, I will have to pick them up! I really love Thanksgiving for that very reason. It's the one holiday that is still pure. It lacks any real commercialization and I think that's great!

The Wettstein Family said...

That quote is awesome! There is something about food that brings everyone together, and Thanksgiving is the ultimate in comfort food. Thanks for sharing. BTW, Matt used to donate plasma every week until he got called up to Iraq, then, because of all the shots they gave him, he couldn't do it anymore. I tried to, but I fainted just filling out the paperwork! Girl, you are brave!

Lacey said...

Adrianne i have been looking for a good book to read! Maybe one of those will be my thanksgiving read.
Awesome and modivating blog post. Thanks girl! <3

Roz said...

Commercial Thanksgiving:
Contests on the radio to win dinner for 8, a dining room set & maid service! Many ads for pick-up-&-go meals. Some restaurants trying to get you to come in for Tday. Big blow-up turkeys & pilgrims around town. But the REAL commercial aspect is capsuled in the newspaper ads for the next day,which is the biggest shopping day of the year. Outta my way!!!

Roz said...

Adrianne, your blog is fantastic! Where do you find the time for all your articles? Yes, your "hubs" is a cutie & you're adorable together. Great news about the new suit & shoes. Hooray! I hope that arm looks better soon. It hurts just looking at it! Love ya!