Hello Readers,
Tis the season of holly, kissing under the mistletoe, sending Christmas Greetings , carol singing and connecting with friends, neighbours, lovers and anyone else we happen to meet along the way. Christmas markets do a roaring trade selling roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, gifts for everyone and homemade fayre. Both children and adults who still believe in Santa Claus anxiously wait to see what gifts magically appear under a twinkling, beautifully decorated Christmas Tree, whilst The Salvation Army Brass Bands do a sterling job adding the the atmosphere playing old fashioned and some modern festive music. We are all dreaming of a White Christmas, even if we only end up with a soggy one. Its that time of the year again and once again December has arrived with all the joys of Christmas. The mad shoppers fighting and scrapping over bargains on Black Friday and Manic Monday. Plastic credit cards splintering at the edges as the tills ring loudly in all the shops and over the internet. Jewellry Shops hope for a roaring trade in engagement, eternity and wedding rings in the hope that some couples do the romantic thing and finally propose to one another as the clock strikes midnight. Celebrity Chefs compete with one another as to how to prepare the perfect Christmas Dinner and what to do with the leftovers and if you are not a cook, you can order your ready made dinner from almost anywhere and either have it delivered to your festive door or make a pilgramage to the store to collect it and store it in the fridge until the Big Day. Its a time of families getting to congregate together and either face a nuclear fall out whilst pulling Christmas Crackers or realise that life is too short to remain in a permanently feuding mentality mindset and reunite agreeing to put the past behind them, hugging loving and making up friends again.
Christmas can be the most magical and wonderful time of the year, for some, but not for everyone. Christmas always manages evoke all kinds of emotions within our hearts based on past experiences, some good and some incredibly sad, depending on
our individual, personal circumstances. Some people are incredibly blessed and appear to others as ‘having it all’ whilst so many struggle in the depths of despair just to try to keep their heads above water. Many people say that Christmas is for children and not for grown ups, but this is not necessarily true is it? Surely we are all big kids at heart and wish and hope for a little bit of Christmas magic and sparkle to touch our hearts at such a special time of year.
Of course its easy to cancel Christmas and stay home alone sucking on a bag of humbugs, waiting for the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future to visit as a reminder where we all went wrong in the past, but why put yourself to all that trouble when you can open the door to your heart and allow the magic of Christmas to touch your soul and sprinkle some magic stardust on your life with the promise and hope of making your future a happier place to be. And for the sceptics? Well sometimes, just sometimes, unexplained miracles do happen. If you have faith and believe in Angels watching over you, anything is possible.
One valueable lesson I have learned in life is that ‘Our health is our Wealth’ because without good health, its very difficult to enjoy anything at all. Another is the love and companionship of a good family and close friends, because there are times when we all need a helping hand and others need our assistance, kindness and caring also. If you do find yourself at a loose end or just want to get out of the house because you want a change of scenery, then go out there and offer your help, friendship, generosity, compassion and understanding to another soul because one act of kindness can change a person’s future, including your own. A friend in need is a friend indeed and a hug is a great gift because one size fits all.
Christmas is not a time for showing off about who lives in the biggest house, cooks the fattest turkey or gives the most extravagent Xmas gift, all wrapped up in fancy foil, bows, ribbons and bells. Its got nothing at all to do with how much you have accomplished during the past year or how big a pay rise you have been given for good behaviour, towing the line, playing the game, smiling and nodding. Its about who you have lifted up, who you have made feel better and given hope to, who you have shared your time with and asked for nothing in return. Its all about ‘What You Have Given Back’.
On behalf of my family, The Lulas and I, may the love, joy and happiness of the season be with you all this Christmas and in the coming year.
Until The New Year,
Love and Light,
Linda and The Lulas xxx
