One of the seasons that provide more opportunities, opportunities to strengthen ties and stay connected (as mostly thought about) is the summer season. A season where most of the celebrations make life colourful and brightens up the moods that adds joy, thrill and excitement! The hot and humid conditions also release lots of toxins from our body… The summer season offers us prospects to celebrate life. Simultaneously these celebrations are also mediums to make good that which has turned ugly!
Celebrations allow us to relax and unwind in the midst of our mundane lives. We use them as a reason to gather with friends and family that means most to us. As we celebrate, we allow the stresses of life to fall behind and we spend our time doing things we love with the people we love. Celebrations in different field are related to success in academics, promotion, productivity, new mile stones, job satisfaction, work, etc. These keep everyone happy and energetic. Different firms have different methods of celebrating occasions. Some do it through corporate gifts, some through special meals and feasts while, some celebrate by big parties on a particular day. Decorating cubicles, distributing gift vouchers and other coupons, organising contests, lucky draws, fun games and other merry making are a part of these celebrations.
Celebrations inculcate a sense of belonging. Our cultures at different occasions and traditional celebrations remind us of our roots and the good old days. These celebrations also pave the path for social interactions as such interactions break barriers, rebuild relationships and re-create harmony! Whether it is a wedding, or festival, our celebrations are woven tightly into our overall cultural identity. The large number of different cultures, knitted together in such a close and perfect manner, make India’s diversity one of the wonders of the world.
The knitted togetherness and oneness of our culture is so great that it needs to be applauded! As am reminded of a recent incident – It was the feast of one of the chapel in the sub-stations. The chapel dedicated to St Anthony and the feast being celebrated on the second Tuesday. As decided on Sunday the people in the first half of the day did the cleaning by noon. One of the elders was surfing the paper sitting suddenly fell down which turned out to be a massive heart attack leaving the village in gloom. This death brought the curtains down on the celebrations! Monday was the interment. The spirit of the villagers moved my heart.
The feast may be postponed I thought but no! The vespers were held in the evening and next day the feast mass was celebrated without pomp and gaiety to express solidarity and oneness with the grieving family. The attitude of the villagers and their rich culture spoke volumes. No one has seen tomorrow!
Celebrations helps keep us grounded in our roots, and our own culture therefore, let’s take every opportunity to celebrate our life as pilgrims on a short journey on this beautiful planet called earth not only in summer season but everyday of our life!
