WHAT IS YOUR REASON...?

Relishing my cup of hot chocolate I could smell something in the air. There was just something about the atmosphere that felt a bit special for a few minutes . . . it was the smell of Christmas . . . I giggled when I remembered my childhood memories of Christmas. Oh yes . . . Traditionally, every festive season, birthdays and special occasion was a thing to look forward to in my family. My mum always wants to celebrate and be happy not to forget my dad who was also fun loving. The house gets decorated; the Christmas cards and hampers keep rolling in; picnics and parties get planned; a lot to eat and drink; lots and lots of cooking, visits from friends and family, gifts and so many more. However, whatever the plan was, we always spent every festive season together as a family. As we grew older the fun in it started to drop because one after the other we had to start leaving home and moving on with different pursuits of life. I loved holidays then but I suddenly realized I am not a big fan of plenty celebrations and all. I would rather stay where ever I am, get enough movies, a few good friends and chocolates to keep me company . . . *smiles*. 

So that morning when I smelt Christmas, I had smiles on my face and I thought to myself “I need to write something about Christmas”. I pondered on what to write on my way to work the next day. Should I write something about the list of movies to watch during Christmas (I love Christmas movies). Should I write on the list of gifts to get for loved ones by the way my sister taught me the art of giving during Christmas, no matter how little the gift was, she would make lots of gift boxes and careful ensure every gift she got was beautifully wrapped. Should I write on places to visit during Christmas? Should I write on activities to do during Christmas? Finally I thought “what’s the point writing about the holidays when I don’t even have plans for myself”.

Awesomely, I walked into the office that day and I saw a colleague wearing a Christmas cap . . . yes the white and red Christmas cap. She wore it elegantly throughout the day not minding she was the only one wearing a Christmas cap in the office. I didn’t get to ask her reason for wearing the Christmas cap but every time I bumped into her that day I had a look of admiration. For her Christmas had started whatever her reason was. She didn’t have to wait until the 25th to celebrate the holidays. She was already making it what she wanted it to be. So I asked myself what will be my reason for celebrating this holiday and what do I want for the holiday. What do I want for Christmas? Before close of work that day I already knew what I needed to write about . . . What is your reason . . . ? 

The holiday is just around the corner. For some people, that thought spurs exciting memories of beautifully decorated tables filled with scrumptious meals, festive shopping, vacation, partying, family time, and brightly wrapped gifts . . . For some others, they are totally indifferent because it just affords them enough time to rest and take some days off the hustle and bustle of each day. And surprisingly for a few others, who due to one reason or the other do not see the need to be merry – especially those who have had a difficult time of some sort in the course of the year - the holiday season is a very difficult and dark time that is to be endured rather than enjoyed. I was walking down the office hallway with my friends and we saw an office beautifully adorned with Christmas decoration. One of us then said “when would the decoration for our office arrive”. My other friend smiled and said “the money for that would rather be used for something else”. He had said this in view of the latest slogan everywhere “economic recession” . . . lol. Then again he said “in fact what’s merry about the Christmas”. Immediately it hit me again that for you to really appreciate and enjoy this holiday, you would need a reason. Later that day sharing a drink with my friend over some conversation, without saying it out in my head I knew I had an answer to the question he had asked earlier. My answer was “you have been my friend all through the year, that’s one reason to celebrate the holidays”. Another reason I have to celebrate is because Christmas this year falls on a Sunday and I would get to go to church to celebrate the Christmas with God. Another reason I have to celebrate is because I became an aunt this year with the gift of Oluwatamilore and Nadiv. Another reason is the excitement of getting an opportunity to go gift shopping. I sure do have a lot of reasons.

The end of the year is a time I think we should find a reason to celebrate in whatever way we can . . . if we choose to focus on the victories and joys we have experienced during the year, the good times of many laughter, the everyday little miracles, the fun times with friends and family, the precious gift of true friendship, we will definitely find a reason to celebrate this holiday. Let us put aside the economic recession, the challenges around, the stop gap . . . *some people with understand what this means* and so on.

Christmas can be a true celebration of fresh starts and new beginnings. A period you take time off your busy schedule and just give yourself a nice treat. Perhaps you wanna go to the park with the children riding on horse backs, playing games and taking a roller coaster ride. You could be like my colleague who without knowing gave me an inspiration to write this piece. You could decide to put a smile on someone’s face with a surprise gift no matter how little. You could be like a special friend of mine who ensures we come together at the beginning of every year to have plenty fun.

Find a reason to celebrate the holidays. Take off the hat, let your hair down, laugh so hard, dance around a little, and make memories . . . enjoy this holiday. 

I LOVE DOING DISHES

This write-up is kinda different from my regular writing. Before I started writing I thought to myself "who would wanna read something about dishes." However, I decided to write it anyway... lol. 

There is something about doing the dishes that is relaxing. I love washing dishes. I love the simple yet important task of washing plates. The first time I said that out loud to myself it was bizarre because I never actually realized I loved doing dishes. I recently discovered my love for doing dishes.

It was a beautiful Monday morning and I was not going to work because I had taken some days off work to spend time with my sister and my little nephew. That morning mum said the baby bottle sterilizer needed to be washed. Before I could do that I needed to do all the dishes in the sink so I could have enough space to wash the sterilizer. Bit by bit I piled all the dishes up in one of the sink while I washed in the other. In no time all the dishes were completely washed and dried. By the time I was through with all the dishes and the baby sterilizer I felt a wave of pleasure sweep through me. I was having a beautiful morning already because I enjoyed every morsel of what I had just done. 

Yeah, I love washing dishes. It’s engaging, to me, because I make it so. While it is possible to wash dishes without paying attention to what you are doing, letting the mind drift where it will, my love for it comes from the times when I do it consciously. It is surprising when I hear people say doing dishes is unpleasant. To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren’t doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your wristwatch off, your sleeves rolled up, your hair pulled back in a pony tail and your hands in the water, it is really quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, the soap, and each movement of my hands . . . the dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them is beautiful. I must confess it takes me a bit longer to do the dishes sometimes, but I enjoy every bit of it. Washing the dishes with patience and attention is a perfect opportunity to develop a love affair with the simple things of everyday life. 

Occasionally the mundane things are the things that bring us the most pleasure. Things we actually take as insignificant or unimportant are the little things we need to remind us of the simplicity of life. It gives us the chance to take a little peek into the tiny but enormous world of simply noticing what is around you, and engaging fully with it. 

CHERISH EVERY MOMENT

Cherish the moment before it becomes a memory. – Author Unknown

Why is it so hard for me to stop working and just have fun? Why is it so hard for me to just pause and take in the beauty of each day. Other people have no trouble doing this. They look for any reason to drop all the work files, ditch the house cleaning, postpone the cooking, turn off the computer, and head to the movies. Or the lounge. Or the mall. Or the park. Or shopping. Or dancing. Sometimes I wish I were more like that. But then even though I like to have some fun, I'm the one who wants to make sure we get all the work done first — before any fun begins. The only problem is that the work is never done. When one is done, another one is waiting right there to get started.

A few years ago through a mutual friend I had the distinct privilege of becoming friends with this amazing guy. We exchanged contacts and kept in touch with each other. It didn't take long for me to realize what an amazing person I had become friends with. He’s very passionate and excited about everything in life. Even the smallest insignificant stuff gives him a reason to see beauty all around him. One thing was unmistakable to me about him, his passionate embrace of the magnificent and how simply he took life. He’s a friend I hardly ever see but we talk from time to time. Every time I have a conversation with him, there’s always a reason to see the beauty and splendor all around me. For him everything was beautiful and amazing in its own way. He would encourage me to take a break off work, have fun, spend time with people, hang out, and go partying. "Just take a break, relax and have fun" he would say. "It's not all about work, there is life outside work."

Talking to him always jolted my heart telling me to ignore the uptight part of me that took everything too seriously or the task-oriented part of me that wanted to work and tune out what was going on around me. The problem with people like me though we fail to admit it, is that sooner or later we get bored with all the things we surround ourselves with because we are too focused on the task at hand begging for our attention. We learn to appreciate the simplest of things in our lives only when it becomes a rarity. Sometimes we don’t realize how big the little things in life really are. The little things in our everyday routine are what unite us to the bigger things in life. The small enjoyable things are all around us. Oh, how easy it is to get carried away with so many distractions that cloak our everyday life. We lose sight of the grandeur and colorful art that exist even in the most insignificant places. Maybe we all need a reminder. Something that constantly reminds us of the beauty that lies around. Someone just like my friend that bumps us out of the world we have built for ourselves to see the beauty and fun that lies around us and live in the moment. To take out time to love and appreciate those we care about. 

My idea of loving others is often shown by serving them. But some people feel loved when I simply spend time with them. And for some, that time needs to be a little less task-oriented and a lot more laughter-filled. Now I have to be intentional about having fun. Initiate getting together with others. Say yes when invited. Stretch outside my comfort zone. Exchange more pleasantries with colleagues. Let my hair down and just laugh like no one is watching. Enjoy the amazing weather. Smell the freshness in the morning air on my way to work. Appreciate everything no matter how tiny.

The truth is work will always be there — but the people might not be and the moments might be gone.