All I Want for Christmas Is Peace

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of inner peace as the most valuable gift one can seek, especially during the holiday season, rather than material possessions or even relationships.

Abstract

The author reflects on the commercialized Christmas spirit exemplified by Mariah Carey's famous song, expressing a shift in perspective post-pandemic. The article advocates for the pursuit of inner peace as a foundational necessity for true happiness, suggesting that without it, material wealth and even loving relationships lose their significance. The author, A.M. Radulescu, shares personal experiences of soul-searching through various means, including writing a spiritual urban fantasy. The piece concludes by encouraging self-care and personal wellbeing as the best Christmas present one can give themselves, which in turn enhances the ability to connect with others and enjoy life's pleasures.

Opinions

Mariah Carey's Christmas song, while iconic, is seen as emblematic of a materialistic and superficial approach to the holiday season.
The author believes that the pandemic has highlighted the need for inner peace above all else.
Traditional Christmas wishes for material items or even the return of lost loved ones are deemed insufficient without a sense of inner peace.
The article suggests that self-care practices like therapy, meditation, and personal time are crucial for achieving true contentment.
It is argued that one's own wellbeing is a prerequisite for fully appreciating the company of loved ones and the comforts of modern life.
The author quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson to reinforce the idea that peace is self-derived and essential for a fulfilling life.
The piece promotes the idea that prioritizing one's inner peace can lead to a more profound enjoyment of holiday traditions and life in general.
A.M. Radulescu encourages readers to consider an AI service as a cost-effective alternative to ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4), suggesting a special offer for those interested.

Mariah Carey had it all wrong

You can’t turn on the radio in December or step into a mall without Mariah Carey belting her Christmas classic. Over the past decade, it has become a universally known Christmas anthem, but this year something about it rubbed me the wrong way. And yes, the holidays are behind us, but I need to say my truth and hopefully others would benefit from hearing it.

I’ve adored Christmas ever since I was a child. Family coming together around the Christmas tree, baking cookies and telling stories, exchanging presents, and sharing a laugh. The snow, the mistletoe, the caroling, everything holds a special appeal. It truly is, in my humble opinion, the most wonderful time of the year. I can’t tell you the number of Hallmark specials I consumed over time, nor the amounts of cozonac — a special dessert specific to Southeastern Europe and especially Romania, my country (I actually had the last delicious remnants of cozonac this morning). I’m that girl with the ever-changing Christmas sweaters, determind to spread around holiday cheer.

Watching so many holiday movies I noticed a lot of recurring themes, but one, in particular, struck a chord. The Christmas wishes. You know all about that, right? Everybody wishes for a cool new watch, the latest phone, a killer addition to their wardrobe, maybe an exotic vacation or something even more outlandish like a car. Or, in some cases, a missing/deceased loved one (remember those sad letters to Santa, written by a rosy-cheeked boy who looks too young to even write? They get me every time). Well, if the last two years taught me anything, it’s there is something more important than all of the above, an absence that renders the rest meaningless.

All we need is peace

I’ve done a lot of soul searching since the pandemic started. Religion, therapy, spiritual healing, books, articles. Heck, I even wrote a spiritual urban fantasy based on my new awareness. That’s why every time Mariah Carey crooned about her only wish—to have her sweetheart with her for the holidays, something in me rebelled. Material goods and even relationships are not enough if we don’t have peace. And I’m not talking about the literal sense of the word. That’s something very relevant, but thankfully hard to relate to by the majority on the globe. No, I’m referring to inner peace. If your being is ripped apart by various opposing forces it doesn’t matter the quality of your clothes and your gadgets, the laughter and love that surrounds you. Sure, they’re very nice to have, especially the latter, but it’s not enough.

Did it ever occur to you to feel unhappy without an apparent reason? To be unable to find the why and feel guilty for it, because you know others might be more entitled to the feeling than you? (Which is rubbish, of course. Everyone is different and we shouldn’t be ashamed of the way we process things.)

The point is, every house needs a sturdy foundation. Without it, however happy the family is, it cannot live there, because the walls could crumble at any given time. Along with the fancy windows, impressive arches, and so on.

Above all else, we need peace.

We need to feel safe and secure with ourselves before we can ever hope to connect with another or enjoy the commodities of living in the 21st century.

“Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The best Christmas present

And so, the most meaningful Christmas present should be strenghtening your core and seeing to your wellbeing first. That may mean therapy, meditation, breathing workshops, or as little as putting aside time for yourself—a bi-monthly appointment to the hair salon, nails, a weekend getaway, or just clearing an evening a week solely for your own pleasure. Reading in bed until the wee hours of the morning (but waking up completely energized), watching bad reality TV, working out, going to the cinema on your own, anything and everything that speaks to you. There are no wrong answers as long as your actions don’t bring harm to another.

If you do that, I guarantee that the Christmas lights will sparkle more brightly, the carols will chime lovelier, and you’ll be able to be there for your loved ones in a way that was unattainable before.

In conclussion, dear Mariah, in tranquility you’ll find your love.

By A.M. Radulescu

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