“The magic of Christmas never ends, and its greatest of gifts are family and friends.”
Anonymous
There is something truly magical about Christmas.
We begin to feel the build-up as soon as the malls and shopping centres roll out the sparkly decorations in classic “Christmas colours.”
And, as the weeks pass by, the anticipation steadily grows.
Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey on the radio.
Hallmark Christmas movies on the television.
Family, friends, and the wonderful gift of togetherness on our minds.
Christmas brings us all together.
If you are thinking, “But what about Covid-19. We can’t do big gatherings. It has just about ruined this festive period,” then this is the time to get creative.
Perhaps things cannot be exactly the same as last year. Or the year before.
But your Christmas celebrations can still be special.
They can still be memorable.
Who knows, maybe you will look back one day and say, “Now, Christmas 2020 was different, but we made it work.”
Because the feeling of togetherness, the love between family and friends transcends distance and time.
So, if this is the first Christmas you have opted to stay home or minimize your social and familial interactions as a safety precaution, you are not “missing out.”
Rather, you are making the choice to protect the ones you hold dear, and that itself is indeed a beautiful gift.
A priceless gift.
It brings to mind the lyrics from the song, “This is Christmas” by the Goo Goo Dolls:And the gifts that you bring
Always make my heart sing
Not the things that you buy
But the love that you bring
Love (in any shape or form) is what Christmas is all about.
And if you look, really look, you will find that love all around you.
It’s in your loved ones’ smile.
It’s in your favourite Christmas song or movie.
It’s in a virtual hug or kiss.
It’s in the food you or someone special has made especially for Christmas.
It is in being safe and cautious so that all these new memories can be revisited this time next year, around the dinner table with your nearest and dearest.
And if you are finding it difficult to find the Christmas cheer during these challenging times, pause, take a deep breath, and list all the things you have to be grateful for. Keep going until something within you shifts, your heart opens, and that warm feeling of gratitude pours out.
There is always light. And if you can’t seem to find it outside, look inside, look within YOU.
I promise you it is there.
If you have been struggling this festive period for whatever reason, battling to keep your head above water, and feel as if something just has to change for the next year to be better, I assure you that the life you desire to live, the change you wish to see is absolutely within your reach.
Yes, you were made to thrive.
Yes, you were born to shine.
Drop me an email at ilze@ilzealberts.com or message me on WhatsApp if you are ready to explore how you can start living your best life, being the most inspired, authentic version of you, you can be.
I want to wish you and your family a blessed festive period. May the gift of love from family and friends (in all its forms) fill your heart the way it has filled mine.
From my heart to yours,
Ilze