Life Lessons
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween, folks! It’s that time of year again, and though I’ve never really been one to revel in the Halloween spirit (surprising, I know). Tonight, my friends tried to coax me into a Halloween party at a nightclub. However, I declined their ghoulish offer. Perhaps next year.
Instead, I’ve opted for a delightful staycation with my girlfriend. Picture this: deep conversations about our future, an epic movie marathon, and, of course, a little writing to let the creative spirits run wild. I’m currently perched on a terrace at a hotel, but it’s time to scurry back to my room. You see, smoking damages the gray matter in my noggin, and crafting words on this phone is, well, less than ideal. Back to my trusty Mac I go, and give me just a second.
Ah, Halloween, the bewitching holiday celebrated on the enchanting date of October 31st. It’s a time when costumed revelers roam the streets, especially in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, honoring ancient Celtic and Christian traditions while indulging in secular merriment. But guess what? Indonesia, particularly Jakarta and Bali, has also joined the Halloween fiesta.
Now, have you ever pondered the mystical connection between Halloween and pumpkins? Well, I did a bit of sleuthing, and here’s the scoop: The legend of pumpkin carving originated in an Irish folktale starring none other than Stingy Jack, a notorious trickster who even outsmarted the devil himself. When Jack met his demise, neither heaven nor hell welcomed him. Instead, he was doomed to wander the Earth with nothing but a hollowed-out turnip and a fiery coal to light his way.
In Ireland and Scotland, folks began carving eerie faces into turnips and other root veggies to scare off evil spirits. This peculiar practice eventually evolved into the pumpkin carving extravaganza we know and love today. Irish immigrants in the United States soon discovered that pumpkins, with their ample size and ease of carving, were the ideal canvas for jack-o’-lanterns.
And there you have it, the iconic pumpkin tradition owes its existence to the wily Stingy Jack, a figure of questionable virtue but unquestionable creativity.
But you know, Halloween is more than just spooktacular costumes. It’s a lesson in disguise. Amidst the sinister clown masks and zombie get-ups, Halloween is all about spreading joy and nurturing creativity. Our real fears should be cozy circumstances, not a kiddo in a Chucky costume. Those things might haunt us later in life, unlike our friendly neighborhood ghouls. Speaking of which, I saw a captivating tale on TikTok that related to Halloween just last week.
A bird flying south for the winter. It was so cold that make the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While lying there, a cow came by and pooped on top of it. Strangely, the frozen bird in the pile of cow poop began to fell warm and great. It laid there all cosy and happy, and even start singing. Just then, a cat passing by, heard the bird song and went over to investigate. The cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow poop and promptly dug him out, and ate him.
Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend. Most importantly, in deep shit, it’s best to keep your mouth shut. Life is indeed like Halloween’s trick or treat. Be wise, and have a beloved weekend folks…
