First of all, let me be clear about one thing 鈥� days set aside to create awareness of any important issue serve a valuable purpose.
After all, educating people is the first step in working towards a solution.
But lately it seems that virtually every day of the year has been designated (many of these unofficially but swamping Facebook and the Internet, nonetheless) as a time for recognition of some cause or some group of people. And, honestly, it is becoming too much.
What began as a means of creating awareness for many worthwhile campaigns, has now become a platform for any group to promote its own interests.
There are days to acknowledge almost every profession and trade, siblings, cousins, puppies, and even rats (I kid you not). But that鈥檚 just the tip of the iceberg.
How about a Talk like a Pirate Day, Ice-cream Day, or National Shop for Traveling Day?
Granted, many of these originate in the USA, but we Canadians are quick to jump on the bandwagon.
There is National Popcorn Month, Toilet Tank Repair Month (really, I am not making this stuff up), and the silliness goes on and on.
As a grandparent, I may think that a day to honour grandparents is rather sweet, but I much more enjoy a hug from my grandchildren any time, and I鈥檓 happy that they don鈥檛 need a day of designation to show their appreciation for me. (And, more importantly, Hallmark does not need an excuse to sell more cards.)
As a former educator, Teacher Appreciation Week was always considered a thoughtful gesture, but having a parent thank me personally or a student write me a note of thanks (which I have still in my possession) at any time of the year, meant so much more.
Much like the storybook boy who called 鈥淲olf!鈥� too often, thus rendering his pleas ineffective, I worry that we are doing the same to designated days. It鈥檚 a shame because what began as a wonderful opportunity to create awareness might now be turning into so much water off a duck鈥檚 back. (And, who knows, there might even be a day for that too.)
But the real burning question for me is, 鈥淎re we taking the easy way out when it comes to supporting a cause, thinking we have done our part by simply observing a day or by wearing the appropriately-coloured T-shirt?鈥�
Let鈥檚 take Earth Day as an example. For one day, we are encouraged to turn off the lights and all electronic equipment. And many people do so. But what about the other 364 days? A one-day blitz might be a good gimmick to get our attention and to make a point, but real change does not come about because of a one-day commitment. Meaningful change is a result of hard work, time, commitment, and resources.
A bumper sticker approach is not enough, nor is clicking 鈥渓ike鈥� on a Facebook page.
The same is true when it comes to showing appreciation for our family, friends, and co-workers. We need to learn to show gratitude for these people in our lives on a regular basis, and we need to do this in meaningful ways.
聽If we learn to do that, then maybe we won鈥檛 need designated days.
