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Merry Christmas. Reflections on 2021

Merry Christmas

So, I wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy, prosperous, New Year. Although it is a Christian festival many people of different faiths enjoy this time and join in. If you live in the northern hemisphere it’s associated with winter and brings some much needed light and joy to a cold and dark time of year. In the southern hemisphere it’s more about holidays and barbeques on the beach. But regardless, try to have fun, rest and reflect on the year coming to an end.

But at this time of year it is also important to remember that not everyone enjoys Christmas. Perhaps you have to work during this time or it’s because of circumstances (financial worries, loneliness or loss) or you just dislike Christmas. We call someone who doesn’t like Christmas a Grinch. And I would like to put in word for all them in the world.

Grinch

A survey by the American Psychological Association, found that 38% of people said their stress level increases at Christmas. Participants cited a lack of time or money, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, and family gatherings as the top causes of stress. Another poll by the Principal Financial Group (a global investment company) found that 53% of people experience financial stress due to holiday spending.

For those who have lost loved ones, Christmas can bring back painful memories. For retail workers and the emergency services this time of year can also be very busy and stressful. Regardless, for many of us it’s a draining time.

Enjoy Yourself

So having completely damped your Christmas joy, let me try to turn things around. Regardless of how you feel about Christmas, find a way to savour and enjoy it. Don’t feel obliged to follow traditions or the media messages. You don’t have to spend a fortunate on Christmas, but focus on the meaningful things that bring you joy. You don’t have to have turkey, cranberry sauce and sprouts for dinner. Have whatever you want. Be kind to yourself and only commit to things you want to do. Christmas is a holiday after all. So you should return to normal life in the New Year with big plans but also rested and refreshed.

As Washington Irving (American Writer) said, “Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart”. So don’t forget others. Make sure to check in with elderly family and neighbours or anyone else who may be having a rough time.

Welcome 2022

And remember, if you really can’t find a way to enjoy Christmas, as the Persian Adage says, “This too shall pass”. It will soon be a new, and hopefully, better year.

It has not been the year I thought it would be. And with the recent emergence of the Omicron Co-vid variant, perhaps 2022 will be a difficult year too. But, as Enya (Irish Singer) said, “The spring, summer, is quite a hectic time for people in their lives, but then it comes to autumn, and to winter, and you can’t but help think back to the year that was, and then hopefully looking forward to the year that is approaching”.

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