THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: GIFT THE GIFT OF LOVE AND KINDNESS

This is not a time to impress anyone, it is also not a time to showcase how wealthy you are. The most important thing at this time is love and kindness. A lot of people forget that, people cannot give you what they don’t have. If someone gives you a present at Christmas no matter how humble, accept it. Because what matters the most is the meaning and thought behind the presents in the first place. There is so much more to be gifted to your loved ones at Christmas. It definitely does not have to be of material value for it to make sense and show that you care.

Cooking:

We all love food, it nourishes our soul, keeps us healthy, brings us joy, we can also celebrate together through cooking and sharing good food. This is a time when you can cook for your loved ones/ friends if you don’t normally cook for them. Make something delicious invite them over or take it over to their place to celebrate together. I used to remember as a child when we used to travel to my village for Christmas, it was magical. We had all the extended and immediate family members cooking together. That is a memory that has stayed with me that I still long for up until this day, because it was such a beautiful thing. I always look up to that every second Christmas because we travelled to the village for Christmas every two years. It was the best way of bringing the whole family together and you could see the love and joy that it brings to everyone.

Visit Homes For The Vulnerable:

We are all very busy trying to make ends meet and sometimes we forget that there are people who are not able to take care of themselves, because of circumstances beyond their control. With some of them it is due to ailment, old age or being a child with no caring adults around. Or kids in an orphanage or people that had a mental breakdown etc.
Times like this can be very lonely for vulnerable people. I am not saying you should only care during Christmas. This is something you should be doing whenever time permits.
Visit these homes and places, take things with you that you think can be of help to them, like everyday essentials. Sometimes having someone to talk to and socialise with can be of immense help for older people. Take them to a park, chat with them, play board games, keep them company and things like this.
For children, knowing what they like and providing it for them when you visit places like this can bring a lot of joy to the kids. Chat to them, give them hope, show them that they are loved and be supportive in whichever way you can.
Doing something like this, gives them hope, because we all need and deserved to be shown love and kindness.

Reach Out:

You may have a friend or a family member that you have fallen out with and are no longer on speaking terms with. It does not matter who is right or wrong. Reach out to them, speak to them, find a way to sort things out, forgive them for your own peace of mind if not for there’s. You don’t have to be best of bodies. One thing I must say is, forgiving and moving on can do you a lot of good mentally and otherwise. Holding on to a grudge is one of the most toxic thing ever. Nobody wants to be wrinkled because of another human living in your head rent free.
Life is very short, learn to forgive and move on for your own sake if not for there’s.
There are certain people in my life that I just can’t trust anymore, because of the things they’ve done repeatedly. I have forgiven them, but I’m no longer comfortable having them in my inner circle. We all want to go to bed at night and sleep well.
Showing kindness to them by reaching out is equally as good for all parties in any given situation.

Spend Some Time With Your Loved Ones:

Spend quality time with no judgement whatsoever, do silly things with lots of laughter together.
A lot of people only have the opportunity to spend time with their loved ones during the holidays. This is as a result of modern society. Time does not always permit for us to spend as much time together, as we would want.- “We all have to pay our bills”.

Make Amends:

If you feel you have not done right by anyone this is the time to make amends. Because a lot of people are open to a reconciliation because of the festivity.
If you did not do good by them over the years now is the time to do right.
Life is too short, you don’t want to have any regrets tomorrow. Say what needs to be said when someone is here so you don’t regret it when they are no longer here. Simply saying the word “I love you” can go a long way in making them feel wonderful about themself.
You do not need to have a lot of money to do something wonderful for your parents, siblings or friends. We always get caught up in these situations where we always think- “it has to be the biggest and the best for it to make sense”.
Sometimes just a simple phone call, a text message, cooking or cleaning the house for them and running some errands for an older relative is enough.
Do what you have within your reach, you cannot give people what you don’t have. What counts the most is the thought behind it and the fact that you care.

Remember The Dearly Departed:

Pray for the soul of those you love who have passed on. Going into a church to pray and things like this can be really powerful. You can go the cemetery where your loved one/ones were laid to rest, light a candle, pray and lay flowers. This is also good for you mentally and emotionally.

Be Charitable:

Do some charity work like going to help at a food bank etc, donating unwanted clothes, toys and volunteering at a homeless shelter, refugee camp, orphanage, care homes, hospital etc.
Being selfless like that can be good for you. Doing something for someone in need is so rewarding. I have experienced this on a personal level whenever I have done something for someone in need and it brought me immense joy. I am not saying doing something kind for people who want to take advantage of you. We know there are people out there who want to take advantage of other peoples kindness and take them for a fool.

Attend A Mass/Church Service:

Attending a church service at this time of the year can be very rewarding too. it allows for a deep evaluation of your life. You get to do some checks and balances of how long you’ve come through the year and life in general.
For the fact that you are alive and healthy today is a win, so be thankful for that.
You can also do this at your home or wherever you deem fit. There are so many ways to be thankful that you’ve come a long way and are blessed.

Visit A Hospital:

Some people are sick and are hospitalised during this time, pay them a visit if you can to spread the love and kindness. Put a smile on their face, sometimes all people need is a chat with another human. Being at a place like that when everyone is healthy and celebrating the festivity can be very lonely, sad and depressing.

Show Kindness To Others / Be kind Yourself:

It does not cost you anything to be kind. Show some empathy and compassion, we all have our struggles. The enormity of it may differ, but it’s still a struggle at the end of the day.
You never know what a little bit of kindness can do for people. Life can be very frustrating and challenging at times. Above all take good care of you, be kind to yourself. You need to be okay in order to take care of others.

In conclusion:

The best Christmas present is the gift of spending time with your loved ones, being healthy, alive, being compassionate, showing empathy, love and kindness.
Let love lead the way, always.