I totally, utterly, and absolutely, agree with this post. I don’t plan on buying anything “new” for anybody for Christmas, and I sure hope nobody buys anything new for me. Though I might swap stuff, or check out Goodwill and take some of my own stuff there, or give some of my stuff to others, and I’ll send money to various local feed-the-hungry causes as usual. But geez, actually go out and buy new stuff? Or buy new stuff over the internet? Why would I do that? I’ve still got way too much stuff as it is — accumulated from the mindless years before I watched the little video, “Story of Stuff.”

“Today, humanity faces a stark choice: save the planet and ditch capitalism, or save capitalism and ditch the planet.”

-Fawzi Ibrahim

Hey all you dreamers, redeemers, and spiritual wildcats out there . . .

Until we challenge the entrenched values of capitalism – that the economy must always keep growing, that consumer wants must always be satisfied, that immediate gratification is imperative – we’re not going able to fix the gigantic psycho-financial-eco crisis of our time.

The collective journey towards a sane sustainable future begins on a deeply personal and individual level with a single, voluntary step: make a vow to yourself to participate in Buy Nothing Day this Year. On November 23 (November 24 internationally), embark on a fast from consumerism. Do not buy anything for 24 hours . . . and watch what happens . . . you just might have an unexpected, emancipatory epiphany!

Buy Nothing Day is legendary for instigating this type of personal transformation. As you suddenly remember what real living is all about, you may sense an upsurge of radical empowerment and feel a strange magic creeping back into your life.

Join millions of us in over 60 countries on November 23/24 and find out for yourself what it feels like.

And why not play some jazz while you are at it!? Put up posters in your office, neighborhood, on campus . . . organize a credit card cut up, pull off a Whirl-mart, or a Christmas Zombie walk through your local mall.

Then, if you feel inspired, take the next step . . . for generations, Christmas has been hijacked by commercial forces . . . this year, why not take the season back? Have a heart to heart with your family and decide to celebrate Christmas differently this year.

Take the plunge: grab posters and Buy Nothing Xmas gift exemption vouchers here.

And let’s see what happens to Walmart on Friday . . .

for the wild,

CJHQ