Blue Christmas, Elvis




Familiarity breeds content

Hang on, that's not how the saying goes. Isn't it, "Familiarity breeds contempt"?

But why feel contempt for familiarity?

It’s great slipping into a pair of nice comfortable shoes, t-shirt or jacket.
It’s great retreating to a familiar holiday destination.
It’s great having a bank account that ticks over at a familiar rate.
It’s great having a piece of music you love on high rotation or re-reading a book you love.
It’s great waking up with daily access to clean water, electricity, cooling/heating, a roof over your head, a fridge full of food, gadgets to keep you connected. 
It’s great being close to loved ones you can count on, day in day out.

Yet in café conversation, we po-facedly declare life should be about risk. But inwardly we crave familiarity. Outward bravado is betrayed by the way we live.

Which brings me to Elvis.

He is one artist I’ve been familiar with over the decades. His records have always been in my home. And books about him. And the odd poster. And his movies. Elvis has been a constant companion over the years.

And every Christmas, the stores bring out his Christmas CD. He is their constant companion too.

Can’t say I’m a huge fan of it though. His Christmas tunes replicate his movies. The movies are bad. So too are their songs. 

But when I hear him drawl…

I’ll have a bluuuuue Christmas, without youuuuuuu…

It makes me smile. It makes me imitate his voice. It takes me back. It’s familiar.

And in an ever-changing world, we crave the familiar.

That’s not a bad thing, is it? Familiarity needn't breed contempt. It helps us be content.

So, with that in mind, sing with me…

I’ll have a bluuuuuuuuuuuuuue Christmas, without youuuuuuuuuuuuu…

Thank you, thank you very much. Uh-huh.

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