Here's what I don't get

I don't get it. 

And here's what I don't get. Celebrating is human nature. Why not join in? Celebrating means happy people and good food. Why wouldn't you want to get in there and learn about people's cultures and beliefs. It's not like anybody is right. 

When it's Diwali/Deepavali, I always wish my Hindu friends a Happy Diwali/Deepavali (Same thing, just named differently depending on where you're from. 

After Ramadan, of course, I say 'Eid Mubarak' to my Muslim friends. 

To the Wiccans, you nod and say 'Blessed Be' when it's the solstice, or just generally when you meet another member of the craft. 

When abroad, you visit temples and wonder at their workings. You count Buddha's, spin prayer wheels, obtain oracles, regaling in the colour and majesty of the places. 

Christians are wished Merry Christmas and Happy Easter. If you're in Greece, you wonder at the noise of the celebrations, taking up with a "Καλό Πάσχα, Χριστός Ανέστη!" with gusto. 

At the various New Years celebrations for the Asians communities, you wish your neighbours well. Gong Hei Fat Choi, or a variant of that goes down well. There is also a good possibility that there will be fireworks and food. There is a bit of a theme here. 

Indian friends seem to have a festival for everything. Light, colour, the birth of many of their major gods. These are awesome. For me, it means there's a good possibility of a feed with some jelabis and cashew burfee. 

On Saturday morning, as I sat in my favourite Jewish deli after Kaballah meditation, I wished the proprietor, who I've known for 20 years, a happy Hannukah. Over the years, I've wished him a happy Rosh Hosannah, Passover and Yom Kippur, though the last one is never that happy because if you're an observant Jew, you fast. Sod that. 

And why would I do this?

Because it's a kind thing to do. Celebrations are supposed to make people happy. Acknowledging people's celebrations lets them know that they're seen and welcomed. It shows people that you've got the good grace to be happy for their celebrations. Why wouldn't be happy to watch people celebrate?

It's one of the great things about living in a multicultural society. 

I don't understand antisemitism. I don't get racial hate. We're all part of the human race. It's these differences that make us interesting.

After the events of yesterday, I firmly stand with the Jewish community. Tonight is the second night of Hannukah. I have two candles burning. I don't have a menorah, but I can light the candles in solidarity, bringing in the much-needed light. 

I don't need to do this. I'm not converting to Judaism, although I can see some attraction to its rituals and customs. 

No, I'm burning candles to bring in light in this dark time. 

Australia is better than this. 

Celebrate. Be curious, not judgmental, in the words or Walt Whitman and Ted Lasso. 

And love thy neighbour. You never know what leftovers you'll get after these holidays. 

There's no room for hatred on this planet. 

I'm not going to try to understand it. 

Today's song: