The Gift of Breath at Christmas

Dear Reader,

It is so unbelievable that I am writing a Christmas post to you again- I am sure Santa’s sleigh just touched back down in the North Pole! Ok, you got me, I might be a bit of a secret believer – but I did think that that last time that we spoke we established that the possibilities were endless?? 😉

Anyhow!! How are your festive preparations going? Are you ready? Have you done all your shopping yet? Have you got many things crossed of your list? What’s left? Do you know where or how you are spending Christmas? And what is the dish of that day? Wow that time is ticking so fast, are you sure you will be prepared in time?..Oh, and how are you??

Mmm, sound familiar. This is the sound of panicked voices, voices that cries the need for perfection, voices that are carried by the wave of Christmas mania, voices the have not learnt to breathe yet! This time of year can be a complete carousel of emotions, thought and behaviours, all feeding into and maintaining one another only speeding up more and more; the vision of everything else becomes blurry, or is seen in only one way. This can be also applied to anytime of the year. These voices have been listening to this tune and anything else that has made them participate in pass the parcel; they have yet to listen to themselves and the things that really matter. I think we are all guilty of this at one point or another, whether we meant to or not- you included so put down your ego hat, it’s not that warm anyway. I know I have been caught in this trap; I have moments where I think won’t get things done on time and spend an equal amount of time thinking how I can work around it and in the mix of it all, I forgot what I should rather be doing. If we were all to take a breath lose focus on what we are focusing on and find our focus in what our intentions are, how would this change?

My focus would be to make sure I am doing things with happiness and pleasure, without pressure- being wholehearted in what I am doing will have more of a positive impact, rather than doing things just because-. My focus would be to participate in things that would only aid my development and allow me to feel alive. My focus would be to be grateful for all and who I have in my life- life is far too precious, do things and speak with love-.

This Christmas remember the true meaning of this season, of goodwill. Think of others who may be less fortunate without judgement as you do not know their story; even if you are not in a position to help, just by thinking of them and wishing that they will seek comfort can go a long way. Smile at a stranger who you pass by, it might be the only smile that they will receive today. Go forward with gratitude and allow yourself a moment to enjoy your own company!

This year my lovely Sister is running a campaign to raise awareness of Mental Health, a cause which is close to our hearts. My sister has designed and made chokers, which can be found on her online shop, with 50% of the profit of every choker sold going to the U.K. charity, MIND. This time of year can be hugely challenging for those with poor mental health and can trigger lots of negative thoughts and feelings. MIND work tirelessly to provide resources to support those who are struggling with their mental health, which can be even more testing over the Christmas period. Each and every penny that is donated will go towards helping maintain their fantastic services they provide and will allow them to reach more people who are in desperate need of help. More information about this cause and how you can get yourself one of these chokers will be can be found here.

I sincerely wish you peace and happiness this Christmas.

All my love XX

A Christmas Wish 

Hello Reader,

The Christmas holiday is here and I am very much looking forward to. I hope you are too!!! I get a little more excited every year, I’m sure!!! The reason why I enjoy this season so much is that it is one of the few times,  if not only time, where the noise of the outside life grows quite, enabling one to be fully present for a while.

Christmas has the ability to play different cords of the heart. Sometimes the tune echos love and a sense of elation, allowing one to experience the much longed for time with loved ones and create memories to cherish. But at other times, the Christmas melody unveils a melancholic mood with the vibrant Christmas lights perceived as dim. The latter description of the Christmas sounds connotes the internal suffering one may experience, in a time where there is an expectation to “Have a happy Christmas.”

Over the last few days, and perhaps as I write, people are frantically trying to finish getting their essentials, striving to fulfill an idea of perfection, that is simply non-exsitent. Meanwhile, the true sense of Christmas, having goodwill towards others, is forgotten. Some people this Christmas might be alone or away from loved ones, some people could be sick with the day being seen as another battle to fight an illness that they wish they could triumph and be able to experience Christmas day only as Christmas day. Then there are others who do not have shelter, who are wrongly prejudged by passers-by, who yearn to have someone to exchange Christmas wishes with. If you took a moment to be still and think of those who are less fortunate than you, what would you regard as important? What you refrain from fretting over?  What would replace this panic?

It is important to be thankful for all we have and think about the less privileged. This Christmas the simple gesture to send a wish that everyone will be able to seek comfort and happiness could be what is needed to for someone to feel the sweet sound of Christmas .

Thank you so much for reading this, dear reader, I wish your Christmas brings you love and tranquility.

All my love XX