#544 stay home

I was recently at a National Day of Philanthropy luncheon.  This is an event not only to acknowledge the fund raisers in our community, but it is also an opportunity for the development professionals to thank donors.  

I suspect that the timing of the event originated so that it could coincide with Thanksgiving, but the keynote speaker asked: "Did we miss Thanksgiving?"  It seems that the focus went from Halloween directly to Christmas, with both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving lost in between. 

Marketing professor Roger Beahm predicts that "people will turn Thanksgiving Day shopping into a tradition as they historically have on the day after Thanksgiving."  I think that he is right.  Walmart is open 24 hours and hosts of other stores are open for at least some part of the actual holiday.  "The floodgates have opened," Beahm said.

This seems to be a classic case of letting the camel's nose under the tent.  Once there is a little movement, pretty soon there are no parameters to keep more and more from happening.

Are there sacred traditions in your life or organization that you should fight to preserve?  Events, practices or norms that should not be altered?  It is so easy to make exceptions and to give "just a little bit."  Know what you need to honor in spite of the temptation.  

I hope staying home and avoiding the stores on Thanksgiving Day is one of those things.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
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Source:  All day shopping frenzy on Thanksgiving? by Anne D'Innocenzio for the Associated Press in the Telegraph Herald, November 13, 2013 p. 3C