Merry Christmas

I am unsure whether it's a measure of impatience on my part or it’s just me getting older and turning into my grandmother. I am beginning to find the hand to hand combat with human beings over Christmas shopping weary, it’s a little bit grating. 

Self-defence or attack?

Christmas shoppers to me always seem to prey on those they perceive to be weak of course, they want to be in and out as quickly as possible avoiding those who they think can put up a fight.  This is why as the conceived prey, you may always be at a disadvantage. Especially if you're face to face with him, the guy who has just picked your bird. If it's the last bird in the fridge and its Christmas Eve then yes, the dreaded bird is yours.

Unless you want to exit empty handed, you have to know how you can take down an opponent, this can open up bigger possibilities for you so you have to survive the attack. It's an idea however, to get out of there as soon as he's down.

This got me thinking, why do I have to be in combat with someone just to buy a bird that will take me hours to cook and will last weeks to be eaten? So three Christmas’ ago I stopped buying it, that bird wasn't going to torture me. I was going to buy at Christmas only what I liked to eat. Sandwiches this Christmas? Yes please!

Connection

This Christmas I have decided to connect more than to consume, to look around at the people around me and find the blessing in all of them.

I am going to allow myself to be disrupted.  Among the trees, the lights the presents and maybe even that bird; I will allow myself to be interrupted by the people that have been placed in my life; disrupted by the relationships that matter to me.

There is a possibility I have become complacent in some relationships, taken some for granted and even neglected some. It’s hard accepting you have been wrong at times. 

Sometimes in relationships we think it's about how tough we are when all we are required to be is vulnerable. Vulnerability gives an opportunity to be transparent, transparency allows growth in any relationship.

So this Christmas I won't cry over failed relationships I will look at the people around me and be thankful for the relationships that remain working. Failure teaches us the value in that which still remains a success.  

I will aim not to be too busy being everything to everyone that I forget to be something to myself.  Life is about what you allow God to do through you in spite of what is happening to you.  I will intentionally park with the people that not only make me become better but hopefully I too will in turn try to make others become the best they can be.

So this is not to judge you if you are still Christmas shopping or even perhaps looking for that bird, don’t forget to wear that helmet and shin pads and maybe even some gloves for the upcoming combat good luck  AND

Merry Christmas