As we fast approach Christmas, it is the time of the year to reflect.
Reflect in terms of hindsight, looking back on the year that has passed, and contemplating the year ahead.
We have no certainty about the year to follow, but we do have the certainty of the now; this moment that we are in. Carpe Diem seize the day!
We need to be mindful of the moment that we are in. The past has passed. There is no going back. However, it is imperative to learn from the lessons.
In the words of John Lennon: ” life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”.
We would be foolish not to plan and have structure in our lives. Thus, we need to understand that plans can change.
What we can plan is our attitude. We have the ability to make choices and changes.
In the world in which we are currently living, we are enveloped by heinous crimes, people losing their lives in torturous ways. Racism, genocide, homophobia, xenophobia, starvation, abuse and on it goes.
It is spiralling out of control.
As humans we do not want to get involved. We want to protect ourselves from harm and employ the ostrich syndrome.
If we bury our heads and ignore what is happening on the streets worldwide, it will not go away. Perhaps by ignoring, we may in a strange way, be endorsing the status quo. Possibly, exacerbating the problem.
This begs the question, what can we do? It has been said that standing back and observing without trying to assist the situation, is as bad as the act itself.
Fast forward to 1 January once we have imbibed the fun and festivities of our culture, religion and traditions, we think of New Year Resolutions.
Having indulged in food, alcohol and excessive spending, we are left with the aftermath of credit cards bursting, clothing bursting and the likes. We birth gym memberships only to forget about them shortly thereafter.
What is said about good intentions….
We are all guilty of making those resolutions every year. The reason that we make them is because we did not fulfil them the previous year. A few days into January, we have forgotten them. Of course, we don’t deny the ongoing quest for change.
Stop, be mindful and ” be the change you want to see”. Do it now!
Why at Christmas do we seriously contemplate the importance of love, peace, joy and giving!
Why do we confine those thoughts and deeds to a short and limited time period!
Of course we can’t live the life of festivities and indulgences as the consequence would be dire, not just to our bank accounts, but also to our health.
It would also diminish the excitement of the festivities if they became our norm.
However, it is none of these practices that l wish to emphasise.
It is the intangible that we can change now. Something that we can all achieve and strive towards at no cost at all.
Make time for introspection. In searching our souls, we will find a bank of love, kindness, positive thoughts, time, compassion, empathy, understanding and in so doing we can each start to invest in this world while striving to make it a better place. Such an investment will not mean the need for withdrawals. In fact, on the contrary, we will be adding compounded interest to our investments by elevating our souls.
Nobody has ever got poor by giving.
We do not deplete ourselves when we give, we enhance ourselves.
There is no gift like time! Spend time with people who need it.
Strive to make a difference.
There is always someone far less off than us.
We do not need to wait until Christmas and birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, even illnesses of others before reaching out to show we care.
If everyone throughout the world, every day, could start with one random act of kindness towards another form of life, what a wonderful world it would be.
Live the essence of life with pure intention.
If every being in the puzzle of life can play their part positively, what a beautiful picture of peace, love and joy we could create.
Spread Festive Cheer, love and peace.
