As the days get shorter and the weather turns inclement, we start to go head long into the holiday and Christmas season, although we all know that it is going to happen, it seems to arrive before we are prepared for it.
I don’t mean that we are not ready in a physical sense, but prepared emotionally.
Every milestone is so hard when you are unjustifiably estranged from a loved one.
Our minds go back to times gone by, memories of family celebrations and the overpowering feeling of isolation as things have changed.
This year more than ever, we need to self protect, the world is in a very unstable period, everyone is worried about how they can keep their homes warm and have food on the table let alone climate change and all that means.
It is all too easy to wake up in the morning with the weight of the world on our shoulders.
We will all have our own strategies of how to get through this hard events, I have put together a few ideas.
Remember that Christmas is not as appears on the TV ads, not all families are gathering in joy and harmony!
1: Put up lights or a special decoration, maybe a small table top tree.
2: Invite someone else who is alone to spend time with you.
3: Volunteer to help out in one of the many organisations who offer a welcome to those less fortunate than ourselves.
4: Give yourself some quiet time.
5: Remember what Christmas is about. The first Christmas wasn’t full of materialistic things it was about hope.
6: Plan something special.
7: Go somewhere you have never been before.
8: Write a poem or song.
9: Play music, have a film marathon.
10: Have your own act of remembrance, that could be hanging something special on a tree, planting some bulbs or lighting a candle.
11: Go for a walk, look at nature and al that it offers, check out new buds just forming, a sign of Spring.
12: Arrange a Skype chat with others who are feeling low.
13: Indulge a little.
14: Do something you have never done before.
Above all else be kind to yourself.
Our ‘I Will Survive,’ booklet is now available to download I will survive download
This is a resource for you to use at anytime not just during the holiday season.
THE SPECIAL STORY
Today I watched the little ones, angels, kings and fluffy sheep,
Memories when my children were on stage, memories to savour and to keep,
Telling the story we hear, at this time of the year, carols ringing out,
Teachers saying with encouragement, that there is no need to shout!
I wonder what my Granddaughter is in the important tale,
I have no doubt, she will raise a smile without fail.
How I long to see her, perhaps a donkey or maybe a star,
That tiny babe, his mum and dad, three kings from afar.
In my garden standing proud, a special Christmas tree,
With messages from Grandparents, their thoughts will fly free
Straight to the hearts of their precious ones, hugs and kisses
Across the miles, over the water, to those we miss.
©Jane
