Even If At Times It May Not Always Feel That Way

Christmas Eve has become my day for reflection.

A moment to pause and consider the year almost gone. A day that somehow seems more relevant for me than the new year.

Interestingly, and maybe also a little sadly, such reflection over recent years has frequently been of the challenging kind.

Moving through lock down and isolation to frustration and, at times, what felt like an absence of kindness and empathy.

And, more recently, such moments have had to process loss and grief.

Looking back over my posts on this day I have noted that some years it has felt more appropriate to simply say nothing rather than dwell on anything difficult.

Of course it's easy to look backward and remind yourself of things that went wrong. We all do this on a regular basis. In fact our minds are programmed to identify and focus on negative feelings and threats rather than any good moments and emotions.

We simply can't help ourselves.

So this year, rather than dwelling on the moments that have challenged my resilience, and there have been and continue to be many, it feels as if I should find reason to put my focus elsewhere.

So for balance, and perhaps also as a reminder for myself and anyone else reading this post, I shall concentrate on the things that really matter.

My loved ones and I are alive and well, with sufficient to eat and drink, a roof over our heads and with lives that the majority of people in the world would envy,

We are surrounded by love and kindness and genuine support, even if at times it may not always feel that way.

We also have the time and hopefully also the inclination to notice the beautiful world that we are lucky enough to enjoy when we wake up each morning.

And for that, despite all of the challenges that we have had to face this year, we should be grateful.