SuperHappyFu-
nKitty

FEASTING

Feasting is the flame in mid-winter

That kindles the fire of friendship

And strengthens the community.

In the past, feasting was a way to bind the community closer

together. The same is true today. Whether they are cultural gatherings,

times of group worship, or even special dinners with friends, we all

need moments where we come together and reaffirm the importance of our

group.

The cheer that we feel is essential both to the collective and the

individuals involved. The affirmation of the group should not be a

sublimation of the individual but rather a framework for involvement. A

good gathering requires participation — the efforts of organization,

work, and attendance — and in turn gives back sustenance for body and

soul, a sense of belonging, and the accomplishment of something that

could not be done by the individuals alone.

Like any other human endeavor, the feast is vulnerable to

manipulation and politics, the selfish maneuvering of cynical

individuals. This is difficult to avoid completely, for it is impossible

for any group to truly be united. The only way to mitigate this is for

the collective to keep its intentions strictly on its purpose, to select

its leaders wisely, and for those leaders to be as enlightened as

possible..