We can because we believe we can

Christmas is fast approaching……

Friday, November 27th, 2009

I don’t know about anyone else but as a kid Christmas was filled with the joy of presents, Santa, Snowflakes, Fairies and far too much to eat!

The sparkle of Christmas somehow dulls when the realisation hits that Santa could not possibly get down everyone’s Chimneys in one night unless he had jet propelled ski’s and a reindeer running on rocket fuel.  Christmas suddenly becomes a huge STRESS!!!!

I have looked at the reason for this and concluded that this is the only time of year where one feels compelled to spend time with people who they would not see on a week to week basis.  So why on such a special occasion do we all feel so tense and unable to be ourselves?

There are definitely ways to deal with this time of year and actually ENJOY the whole experience! I think the main focus being that large numbers of people in one or two rooms at any one time leads to high levels of energy (sometimes not in the best of ways!) It is mindful to remember that we are all here to celebrate one special day – take comments and remarks with a pinch of salt – especially when the Champers and Wine starts flowing  (followed by Brandy covered Christmas Pudding and a Bailey’s aperitif to top it all off)! 

Families always have the best intentions but sometimes it can all be too much – so here are some tips to take with you on your lead up to Christmas and the day itself!!!

• Take a deep breath and visualise the positive (even when stuck in those Christmas queues fighting for the largest turkey in M&S – think about how yummy it will taste)!
• Understand the importance of Christmas to others – some look forward to it all and others see it as just another day – no-one is wrong,  they just have different views
• Think about what you want to get out of the day – what it means to you, your memories and pleasures, and relax
• Make sure that during the day you are doing something for yourself at some point – don’t try too hard to make it perfect
• Finally be positive – Focus on what you want rather than what you don’t; I know it sounds stupid but really visualise that great Christmas day ideal and live it when you get there!
• But most of all enjoy the day and relax!

The Christmas build up has already seen lights being turned on, the sparkle of tinsel in the shop windows and ‘deals of the year’ (although you know the price will drop further after Christmas day!) I love the brightness and colour around Christmas decorations – it does lift the spirit especially when everything is so dark at this time of the year, however, as we move towards the 21^st December the days then turn and start getting longer again – more daylight and sunshine!

So remember that everyone is unique, we all like different things and that there will be people out there this Christmas with no family or hot Christmas dinner – something many of us will take for granted. Accept that there may be stresses – I know I see Christmas dinner as the highly likely event for me to totally destroy and burn all that I touch (I have not yet let you into my talent and flair for cooking!), but most importantly don’t forget to have fun.

At Christmas play and make good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year
~Thomas Tusser

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What type of Firework are you?

Monday, November 9th, 2009

For years as a family we never really celebrated Bonfire night but when I moved to Lewes all that changed.

Lewes is the utopia for bonfires and fireworks, I can remember as a student working in the Elephant and Castle public house the total bemusement when one of the many bonfire societies in Lewes turned up mid summer to begin their weekly meetings to prepare their efergy for the big night. Hours and hours of preparation would go into the designing and building of these Guy’s/efergies. The effort and detail was incredible, every society member giving undivided attention to the meetings.

So having experienced the wonder of Lewes bonfire nights I struggle to find anything that matches that. The heat, noise, energy and colours are truely amazing. I would encourage anyone to experience it just once!

However this year, despite many changes and challenges I had the most amazing night, surrounded by my friends, some old and some new, it wasn’t quite Lewes but it was wonderful. I realised the importance of appreciating the past, taking from it what pleasures and great experiences we have had and looking forward to other, different pleasures we are going to enjoy.

Bonfire night this year made me think about what type of sparkling firework was I? Watching so many different ones its hard to choose which one best represents me. What it made me realise was that each and every firework was spectacular in its individual way, and that we need ALL types of fireworks to make a firework display.

So when you have established what type of firework you are – remember that your sparkles and noise are needed just as much as the next persons – without you there would be no firework display.

I hope you all had a great Bonfire night and are all enjoying the fresh arrival of Autumn, the crisp mornings and nip in the air. As we move towards the festive season I will give you some ideas to reduce the stress and strain and make Christmas shopping a pleasant experience!

Until next time

‘Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.’
Ralph Waldo Emerson

PS – I cant quite decide what firework I am – it’s either one that makes a lot of noise or the one that explodes in the sky, with vibrant colours lighting up the sky!

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