On Holidays [1.1]

The Korean holiday of Chusok is just around the corner. I've always heard it described as Korean Thanksgiving, but I don't see any pilgrims, Indians, or turkey. Now from what I've gathered, the holiday is centered around the moon, rice cakes, and a tradition of visiting your relatives. Well, I say visit, but you're really more or less there for the whole day. This is what prompted this post about holidays. Why do we celebrate them? Because we've always celebrated them! Because we do this every year! Really. A response that is as logical as a shark has bones. It always has disturbed me greatly that holidays are so promoted and sought with no pragmatic or progressive value. If we are to celebrate, let us celebrate our victories then, not theirs. I do not put down the act of celebration. This means that if we celebrate, we should not celebrate holidays without knowing their roots, but celebrate with full knowledge of their potency.