Happy St. Patrick's Day!
St. Patrick's Day falls on Sunday this year. We're within striking distance of the biggest St. Patrick's parade of all - the one that marches up Fifth Avenue in New York City.
If you're thinking of attending this year, sorry, you're too late. It took place yesterday. Why? Because St. Patrick's falls on a Sunday this year. Sunday's a special day, right? Or is it?
At one time it was - for all Christians, at least. And because the country was founded by Christians, and most of its people were Christians, Christianity influenced how people lived. And Sunday, being the Lord's Day and a day of rest, you didn't march up Fifth Avenue.
Of course, things have changed - a lot. Christianity's influence has lessened quite a bit. And even if it hasn't all that much for many of us, our legislatures and our courts have done much to lessen it's influence.
Not only that, but the Irish, God bless 'em, ain't what they used to be. Ireland itself, once a bastion of Catholicism, is pretty much dead to the Faith if it's Fathers. The Irish-American Catholics here in the U.S. may, on the whole, be more observant of their Faith then their landsman who still reside in the auld sod. But even many - if not most - of those don't really take their Faith all that seriously.
Ironically, though, the tradition of not marching on Sunday continues. You have to wonder how many of those Irish - and others - who attend the parade know why it's not being held today.
This may not seem like a big deal - the idea that people may not know why they're not marching today. But it is when you see it as an example of the general ignorance that's fogged over much of our peoples' brains. For example, we're not taught history and geography anymore. So, for one thing, people don't know anything about the past. For another, they have hardly any knowledge of other places. Ask someone, for example, where Ireland is on a map - or really any country. Most folks wouldn't know where to start looking.
By the way, this sort of ignorance makes hay with your efforts to invest your money. Just consider how most people have completely forgotten the most recent financial crisis of 2007-2009, never mind any other crisis that's occurred in history. The result is they'll likely sail right into the next storm completely oblivious. Many will be slammed into the rocks - i.e., their investments will lose much of not most of their value. I wouln't be surprised if many who were slammed the last time get slammed again. That's what happens when you walk around in the fog of ignorance.
But let's not worry about all that now. Today's St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy it. Enjoy it with corned beef and cabbage. Maybe a Guinness and or a shot of some decent Irish whiskey. Just don't get stinking drunk, as far too many do. Why do they get drunk? I suppose it's because the Irish have a reputation. Yes, it may be a stereotype that doesn't apply to every Irish man or woman. But somewhere along the line, it's stuck and now it's glomed onto St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Don't you be one of those who gets sucked into this stupidity. Just enjoy yourself. You can enjoy yourself without being blotto.
And maybe you can even look around and assess your current knowledge of history and geography while you're not getting dead drunk. If you're lacking, do something about it. Either that, or you'll be one of those stumbling around in a fog. Better to live with a clear, open mind, than a clueless one. Better for you, better for me, better for us all.
If you're thinking of attending this year, sorry, you're too late. It took place yesterday. Why? Because St. Patrick's falls on a Sunday this year. Sunday's a special day, right? Or is it?
At one time it was - for all Christians, at least. And because the country was founded by Christians, and most of its people were Christians, Christianity influenced how people lived. And Sunday, being the Lord's Day and a day of rest, you didn't march up Fifth Avenue.
Of course, things have changed - a lot. Christianity's influence has lessened quite a bit. And even if it hasn't all that much for many of us, our legislatures and our courts have done much to lessen it's influence.
Not only that, but the Irish, God bless 'em, ain't what they used to be. Ireland itself, once a bastion of Catholicism, is pretty much dead to the Faith if it's Fathers. The Irish-American Catholics here in the U.S. may, on the whole, be more observant of their Faith then their landsman who still reside in the auld sod. But even many - if not most - of those don't really take their Faith all that seriously.
Ironically, though, the tradition of not marching on Sunday continues. You have to wonder how many of those Irish - and others - who attend the parade know why it's not being held today.
This may not seem like a big deal - the idea that people may not know why they're not marching today. But it is when you see it as an example of the general ignorance that's fogged over much of our peoples' brains. For example, we're not taught history and geography anymore. So, for one thing, people don't know anything about the past. For another, they have hardly any knowledge of other places. Ask someone, for example, where Ireland is on a map - or really any country. Most folks wouldn't know where to start looking.
By the way, this sort of ignorance makes hay with your efforts to invest your money. Just consider how most people have completely forgotten the most recent financial crisis of 2007-2009, never mind any other crisis that's occurred in history. The result is they'll likely sail right into the next storm completely oblivious. Many will be slammed into the rocks - i.e., their investments will lose much of not most of their value. I wouln't be surprised if many who were slammed the last time get slammed again. That's what happens when you walk around in the fog of ignorance.
But let's not worry about all that now. Today's St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy it. Enjoy it with corned beef and cabbage. Maybe a Guinness and or a shot of some decent Irish whiskey. Just don't get stinking drunk, as far too many do. Why do they get drunk? I suppose it's because the Irish have a reputation. Yes, it may be a stereotype that doesn't apply to every Irish man or woman. But somewhere along the line, it's stuck and now it's glomed onto St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Don't you be one of those who gets sucked into this stupidity. Just enjoy yourself. You can enjoy yourself without being blotto.
And maybe you can even look around and assess your current knowledge of history and geography while you're not getting dead drunk. If you're lacking, do something about it. Either that, or you'll be one of those stumbling around in a fog. Better to live with a clear, open mind, than a clueless one. Better for you, better for me, better for us all.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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