The spirit of Christmas
IAM not exactly on vacation, but I am away from our beloved city this weekend. I have been itching to be away, to be honest. My mind tends to wander more than usual whenever the holidays start.
There is that prevailing feeling of wanting to just be positive and happy right up to that point when we all say to each other, “Happy Three Kings!” Pretty much after this, it is back to the ail grind for all of us.
Sometimes I think about why we love Christmas so much. We are probably the only country whose Christmas season starts officially when the “Ber” months set in. I would always have a good laugh whenever foreigner friends and FilAm relatives reacted to hearing Christmas carols in September.
Even more amazed when I add that it has somewhat become customary between me and my friends (maybe yours too) to try and outdo each other on who gets to wish Merry Christmas first! I never really thought that everybody celebrated Christmas the way that we do, until that ime when I had the chance to experience an American Christmas and experienced that come December 26, all the Christmas decorations have already been taken down!
I do feel lucky to have grown up in a country with the longest Christmas celebration. I really enjoy it. There is something about hearing Christmas carols all around you that makes me happy. The thrill of finding that (inexpensive) perfect gift has always been. one of my
highlights every season. It has also been my Christmas resolution to go to all the Christmas parties that I have been invited to (or expected to) attend. Last year, I only managed to attend one.
Can I say how worse the traffic is during Christmas? I am just so glad the Christmas spirit all around always seems to offset my irritation and I am thankful for that.
Are you excited for Christmas? I really hope that you are too! It is time for family and for reunions again! (Not to mention a time for Christmas bonuses and parties!). It is amazing that Christmas is an opportunity to get together.
Old friends and classmates are more likely to make the effort to spend time together catching up and of course, reminiscing old times.
Relatives from afar come home to be with family members and to satisfy food cravings that needs to be quenched! As for those who spend Christmas time year in year out, it is a time to celebrate togetherness and surviving another year of challenges as a family.
It really is a good break for all of us, don’t you think? Most especially when one has had a rather challenging year. Sometimes these holidays help us see through the muddle of heartache, challenges and pain, which we may have been hesitantly trudging through simply because we had to keep on fighting.
The past month has been a real challenge to me. I grappled with negativity and difficult challenges that seemed insurmountable. Unfortunate things that nobody could possibly control were happening left and right I barely have time to breathe.
There would be late nights and even sleepless ones when I would feel absolutely helpless from the ‘darkness’ that engulfed me. Arghhh. I know we have all been in this situation. It is how life is, and when we survive it, we come out better and stronger.
Right? I always try to think this way and it helps. I believe that finding something good in a bad situation is a good survival technique each of us should learn to master.
It takes time and practice to do it with ease but it can be done. We just have to believe too, that we are capable of doing it. As for me, I can say that looking forward to Christmas is certainly one silver lining in my dark, dark cloud of late. I am so looking forward to spending and enjoying the holidays with my family and friends!
Just realizing that Christmas is just around the control makes me smile.
I anticipate it with much glee because Christmas is a time for goodness. Don’t you agree that people are nicer around the holidays? Everyone seems to be more pleasant. Everyone seems more accommodating and to a certain degree, more forgiving. People smile more.
That, and Christmas songs playing makes me good. So, be happy for Christmas is coming! It will be here before we know it! Bask in its jolly vibe.
Make it the perfect opportunity to embrace all that is good in your life. Appreciate family, friends, employees and even strangers who make living your life richer and fuller.
Thank your Creator for the experiences sent your way because they meant to transform you into your better version.
Never underestimate the spirit of Christmas whether you celebrate and believe in it or not because the people around you who do, are just about to turn into better people because Christmas is almost here! Hooray! Indeed it is something to be glad about and we all.should strive to spread the spirit of giving and forgiving don’t you think? It will surely make our Christmas more meaningful!
Have a great week ahead everyone! Be good! :)