Imagine if at the end of last year on the night of December 31st2019, as you watched the fireworks crackle and glitter in the sky, someone narrated to you what would become of the year 2020. You would probably call them the worst pessimists to ever live.
And so would the 20th Century Spaniard on the night leading to the fateful year 1918 if he was told of the catastrophic Spanish Flu that was fated to kill millions that year.
This much tells us a lot about the unpredictability and capricious nature of life.
Imagine then if you knew ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘when’ everything that’s happened was going to happen. What would you have done different?
If it sounds too good to be true, that’s probably because it is. Let us steer away from ‘what-could-be’ to ‘what-is’.
THE RED HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! Not the “red and black” ones – God forbid bars and clubs are still closed by then. I’m talking Christmas – red and white – Santa Claus’s time or what we called him while growing up: “Father Christmas”.
This year’s festive is unlike the past. This year is a bit much different. The country is in the middle of election campaigns marred by extreme violence and families and individuals are all hit by handicapping financial instability. All this happening against a backdrop of simmering levels of COVID-19. Indeed, these are unprecedented times.
The reality is that none of us could have known this is how things would turn out and it is mostly worthless to wish things weren’t the way they actually are now. Maybe you don’t see a light at the end of your tunnel, that’s why I’m writing today. To torch up one for you.
Below are ways you can get the best out the Christmas festive month.
1. Budget
Regardless of your financial situation, it is vital to have a budget that can sustain you and those dependent on you. Also important is the fact that life isn’t ending now. Planning for January will remind you not to spend all your savings in December. Which is why you have to budget, and especially this year. More often than not, we are bamboozled by unexpected costs during Christmas holidays. Having a budget that factors in unforeseen expenses will go a long way in helping you avoid more stress and avail more time to spend with your loved ones this year.
2. Relishing time with your family
As the famous quote by Trenton Lee Stewart goes, “Family members can be your best friends. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” Family doesn’t necessarily mean only those related to you by blood. Take time this month to enjoy the small moments with them and make sure you wear a smile as you do so. Tell your friends and family how they’ve made you feel this year and appreciate them for their being there for you.
3. Resolution backtrack
It is time to re-visit your resolutions and review them. Check the boxes of what you have achieved and list down those you haven’t yet. See how many you can attempt to fulfil before the year ends because you owe it to yourself to do so. Do not forget, while you look through your list, to consider the pandemic and its effects and remember not to beat yourself up for the things you haven’t and can no longer achieve. Resolutions are meant to encourage and elevate you, not bring you down.
4. Share your smile.
I often wonder why God gives some people so much – even what they don’t need to survive – and others so little to nothing. Someone near you will lack essential items to take them through the festive month: food, clothing, sanitary pads, emotional support or even a family to celebrate with. Be there for one of them, just one. The most trivial selfless gestures can go a long way to put a smile on someone’s face and make you feel good in the process.
Lastly, the most selfless thing you can do for your family is to wash your hands/ sanitize and always wear your mask to protect them from COVID-19. The country has registered 21,898 cases and 206 deaths with hospitals filled to capacity and hundreds of new cases every day. Ensure that you stay safe.
