Light Me Up With All the Christmas Lights
The holiday season swirls into the air, hovering just out of grasp. The trees go up, the stress levels increase and the lights shine into bedrooms across the globe. People’s schedules become full of social events, and time feels limited for so many.
Which is to say I wish my social calendar was full, to remove the guilt, loneliness and challenge that is the holidays. Being a ski bum on the other side of the globe, with a lack of snow and work has caused me to turn inwards.
Missing the Southern Hemisphere and my family, guilt feels like it piles on at this time of year. It occurs to me the holidays are hard for me and many others. Truly wishing I was home, for a few days. Simply not possible 15,000 kilometres from home. Hence this impromptu post a world away.
Beautiful moments exist even away from the people you love. And the challenge is to make your own beautiful moments.
Emotions are tough and as the trees get lit — the lights turn on and Santa soars from the skies the darkness tries to envelop many. The financial hardships, missing people who are no longer with us, missing those many miles away, struggles with family, friends and relationships. The pain, loneliness and uncertainty begin to stack up.
And I say all of this to say, this holiday season forget about the gifts, stress and the work that needs to be done. Those things just aren’t that important.
Instead focus on the moments, time with loved ones and the relationships in your life you treasure. Focus on those things. Invite friends that you know struggle during this time to dinner, send messages to those further away, and say I love you often. Check-in on people, both strangers and family alike.
Take moments to reflect.
Know it’s best to do what’s best for you. Ignore your family when it comes to comments on career, relationships and having it figured out — If it’s negative ignore it.
Know it’s okay to not be happy during the holidays.
Know it’s okay to share such things.
It took me living a world away to realise the value of Christmas and the holidays. None of it is in the gifts, it’s in the moments.
It always was.
Happy Holidays,
Thanks for being here 💚❤️💚
