THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

One of my favorite months and the most special time of the year for many people has arrived. Christmas has arrived and it brings with it many different emotions for each person. Christmas is always associated with joy, togetherness and family; but the truth is that it is not the same case for all people. Some people miss their loved ones, especially on the holidays, the ones who are no longer here, or family members who have moved abroad and are not present at Christmas dinner. Each person lives a different situation, however, what is always expected is to live a beautiful moment as a family and not necessarily with the biological family but with what each person considers to be their family.

For this Christmas I will have the opportunity to spend it in two very different places where the culture itself is quite a contrast, so the holidays are as well. In the place where I am at the moment, life is very calm, the streets are silent and seeing someone walking on the street is rare. All you see on the streets are cars and you only meet people if you go to the supermarket, a restaurant or a mall. Long story short, life here is very quiet and each person is living their life on a very individual level, maintaining their own interests and obligations, there is not much of a sense of community. This has made me reflect a lot on the true meaning of special dates. That, although we all live such different lives and that not all places have the same type of celebration, in the end what prevails is the connection we seek. Connection is what makes Christmas special.

Decorations and gifts are an excuse to get closer and share happy moments. Even in this place that is silent and you don't see much celebration or noise in the streets for Christmas, families will seek to get together for Christmas and exchange gifts while having dinner together. The Christmas ritual beyond dinner or gifts is about meeting your loved ones and having a moment of closeness.

I know that all families are different and some may have complicated relationships with other members which is why they try to avoid meeting them, that is why I use the reference of loved ones. Each situation is different and no one fully understands other people's shoes to judge, for each person their family can be made up of other close people that they love and support emotionally without them necessarily being their biological family. The point is that on these special holidays we seek to get closer to the people whom we share a special connection with, that we reconnect with our roots if that is the case, that we share moments that will never come again and that we take advantage of every second with the people we love. May what we remember forever be the moment we lived and what we shared.

When 20 years pass, the only thing you will remember is the moments you shared, gifts are perishable but you will carry the memories forever...

It's all about company, that's what Christmas is about.

Return your attention to what is important, remember why you are here. 

You came to share your experience with other human beings. 

You came to connect.

Love,Mel.

Christmas tree, 2024. @melsaveyoursoul