Arriving in Canada on the morning of Christmas Day was a great treat. For three weeks of travelling in South America, it was hard to get into the festive spirit. (I was definately in the sightseeing sun worshiping spirit). For me, Christmas is about family and people feeling good through interactions with the people they care about and also giving and receiving gifts that make you feel appreciated. This is what I felt on Christmas Dat here. To see the amount of effort that is put into this one day. From the deliberate choices of gifts for others to the hours spent on decorating. I saw this on the last couple of days on Brazil with spending time with a family, nevertheless, prior to this, it almost felt like a selfish act of exploring the world at this time of the year when everyone else is thinking about others and what to bring. So I guess my gift to all, is to show experience, to learn about different cultures through my blogging. And that I will have the family feel here in Canada and just have it with my other family in January. I can break the tradition and enjoy an extended Christmas. A Christmas dinner with Donachies before I went and then on return. And Christmas with the Lynn's. Anyway, what is the meaning of Christmas? What does the festive period mean to you? Looking on Facebook, we see various posts - ones of family, ones of gifts, one of partying etc. What does this time of year mean to you? Please comment below. What it means to me? Christmas in Canada is my chance to be with Shannon in her element. Happiness of family. She spent the full year away in Scotland chasing her dream and then this time of the year allows the full family to be together. I know this means so much to her. And I have the luxury of jumping on a bus and seeing my family whenever I want, but she doesn't. The glisten in her eyes of being home in world of comfort and security and love, makes it already a great feeling attached to being here. Also, for me, I enjoy allowing myself to relax and not constantly having to see and do. Just allowing my body to do nothing. Even if mind is fighting it at times. Fighting my body to be doing a workout or out running or do, do, doing. It allows me to go with flow, not make plans, relax and be taken care of. Living in the moment in a home of happiness. On Christmas Day, Shannon's mum and dad got 'remarried'. After being split for ten years, they are going to be living together again and officially back together. With tears in my eyes, it was inspiring to see that even in turmoil and challenges, with forgiveness and changes, you can overcome and continue. I guess it's quite common to just give in and move on but in this case, it was moving on to internal growth; proving and re-building. In my younger years, I always believed that a relationship was like a vase and once you shattered it, you could never get it back together properly. And to an extent this is true but now I realise that with time, everything gets a little dented, damaged or worn out. Nevertheless, things can be preserved and these alterations can just give more character and appreciation. Nothing stays the same, and more often and not, we unrealistically crave for things to stay the same, in the perfect form. I guess this brings me onto New Resolutions, and for me, 2014 will be for letting go, and forgiving and realising that of the things I cannot control, I will not stress about and remember I can only influence. And even with my motive of caring for people, and wanting them to be healthy and be the best person they can be, that this is outwith my control and they must be willing to carry their words to actions and really value becoming the best they can be. I can give information and help people but the main ingredient is that persons initial awareness and desire to grow and develop. I can motivate, teach, provide opportunity, support a person and be non judgemental. Everyday I try to become a better person, learn something new and experience something I have never experienced before but I cannot expect everyone to be like that. And be like that on their own. This is something I can support.
1 Comment
Inspiring response
12/27/2013 11:23:00 pm
Years ago Christmas was about Carroll singing for money for sweeties. Counting down the days in class until it was my turn for the chocolate. What was getting from "Santa" well, how much could I get from Mum and Dad.
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AuthorTracy Donachie, MSc in Performance Psychology. Archives
May 2019
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