Christmas.
Just the sound of the word is enough to bring a smile to one’s face and conjure
images of beautifully wrapped presents, copious amounts of tasty festive food,
music and merriment. And so it is for me too. But then again, to be honest, I’m
one of those who are a bit manic about Christmas – I’m constantly wishing the festival
arrived sooner, wanting to put up my decorations as early as the first week of
November and playing Christmas carols whenever I feel a little out of sorts and
down in the dumps, right through the year.
This
year however, I find that I’m not as much in the mood as I have been in the
past. Initially I thought it was because I’d overdosed on the spirit of the
season with my shenanigans. But then I realised, given everything that’s been
happening around me off late, not even the merriest of carols could get me out
of the gloom I’m in. From unexpected, sudden deaths in the extended family, to
massive misunderstandings with good old friends, everything has come together
to form a formidable cloud of gloom over my most favourite time of the year.
And the fact that we’re fresh off the heels of the tragic Peshawar incident
seems to be the point where that same cloud has started to dispense drops of
rain all over yours truly. Thankfully, I’m at my contemplative best in the
rain. And so, at this very moment when we’re just a few days away from the
celebratory day itself, a few truths and realisations have dawned on me…
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First
off, instead of running helter-skelter, stressing over what to get family and
friends for Christmas and spending loads of money in the process, gift them the
joy of your time and company. When life becomes more unpredictable by the day,
nothing is more valuable than a great chat and a hearty laugh. In the days to
come, material things will have to be left behind. It’s the memories you’ll take
with you.
Secondly,
clear the air! No matter who you have beef with or however big the issue might
be, if the person concerned actually matters enough to you, you should be able
to swallow your pride and say sorry (if you’re wrong) or pester the living daylights
out of them till you find out what is wrong and then work on fixing it. Even if
things don’t work out in the end, at least you’ll know you tried.
Thirdly,
stop working your behind off for “a better life” and miss out on the one you’re
actually living. What’s the point in slaving till an age where you can’t enjoy
the fruits of your labour or saving up all that money till an age where you
can’t use it for all the things you originally wanted?
For
another thing, pay it forward. If someone has rendered you a bit of kindness
for no personal gain, pass it on to someone else. Be it a smile or letting
someone cross at a zebra crossing, if it’s happened to you, make it happen for
someone else. It may not bring you a lifetime of happiness but all the small individual
moments add up to one happy life.
Lastly,
sing, dance, live, laugh and love. Sing like no one’s listening, dance like
nobody’s watching, live like it’s your last day, laugh till your sides hurt and
love without fear. The thing you have to remember is what goes around comes
around and like someone recently told me, no matter how big your house, car or
bank balance is, the grave we go to at the end of the day is the same size for
us all. So make the most of this season with family and friends and have
yourselves a merry little Christmas!
