Friday, 20th December
December is here, 2024 is coming to an end, which means it is time for my last blog post. What a year of meeting deadlines, hoping inspiration would join me, and eleven blogs published! Despite the struggles finding the right topic to write about and some moments of panic thinking I would not have enough time to achieve my one blog a month. Despite the last minute changes of plans and life getting on the way with its twists and turns. Despite the difficulties of finding time to let words flow and feeling under pressure. Despite all the above, I have enjoyed the craziness of my commitment: twelve blogs in 2024. Moreover, I am happy with such a productive year of writing, with such a remarkable milestone, with such great success. It is a cold evening out there, wind is hauling, the sun is setting on the west, the rain is gone, and it feels like winter. Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year (“Grianstad an Gheimhridh”) and it will bring hope for brighter days, in no time we will notice the stretch in the evenings. My cupán tae as usual, the flickering candle on the table, blanket over my legs, Christmas FM on and my inspiration awaiting to be released.
“I try to enjoy the journey, keeping grounded on the “here and now”, avoiding getting lost in the festive season planning…”
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, the countdown has started for me, just five days to go. The festivities have finally arrived, for me! I know that you can buy seasonal decorations from the beginning of September, buy all sorts of goodies for festive days from early October, and listen to carols and thematic songs from mid-November, but for me, Christmas starts on the 20th of December. It is more than enough, there is no need for the madness starting just at the end of summer. Once August ends we feel somehow obliged to focus on the next stop: Christmas. I try to enjoy the journey, keeping grounded on the “here and now”, avoiding getting lost in the festive season planning. Today though, it feels like Christmas is here.
Time to remember that it is good to be nice and kind to others, not that we should not practice this all year round. The true spirit of Christmas should not just simply be buying lots of presents, not even tucking in endless meals, or lighting up our homes with hundreds of lights. But thinking of those around us, offering a helping hand, being kind, thanking others, simply smiling: a powerful way of contributing to make this world a better one. The true essence of this time of the year, for me: the power of a thank you, the power of a kind gesture, the power of a smile. It is so easy to get caught in the swirl of the festive days, it is so tempting to just focus on the material aspects of buying stuff, it is so easy to forget what Christmas is about. It is so tempting to ignore those old values of kindness and gratefulness. It is so easy to give in to the whirlpool of consumerism. I always do my best to concentrate on the power of a thank you, a kind word, a smile, they all make such a difference, and they are free!
“You will notice that people appreciate the fact that you took time to thank them…”
You should try it yourself: after buying the well needed coffee first thing in the morning, after queuing at the post office to send the parcel, after waiting your turn at the till; simply say thank you to the person who assisted you. After asking where you can find that product, after getting an order delivered, after getting an issue sorted over the phone; simply say thanks to those who helped you. After being served at a restaurant; after getting your hair done, after collecting your car from the garage; simply say thanks. After a compliment, after an unexpected gift, after a kind word; simply say thanks. And do not forget to thank that friend who called you out of the blue to check how you are; a family member for thinking of you by buying something they know you will enjoy; your partner for holding your hand when things are tough. You will notice that people appreciate the fact that you took time to thank them. You may even see a smile on their faces. The more you practise gratitude the easier it will become to be grateful and thank others.
Tuesday, 31st December
Well, once again life has interfered with my writing plans, very much so: today is the last day of 2024! There are only a few hours left for me to get this blog out, I do love challenges, my inspiration works well under pressure, I am great at meeting deadlines (lol). It is a miserable day out there: windy, heavy rain and cold. Cupán tae, the candle flickering away and the Catalan cd that comes out every year in December to gather funds for the research of illnesses is playing in the background, and Smudge (our cat) is nicely curled next to me as if she wanted to keep an eye on my progress, or maybe she is just enjoying my company or the heat. Let’s get down to business and get this blog published.
“As I am literally closing this year, I feel the need to be thankful for so many things that life has presented me with in 2024…”
Just a few hours left of 2024, which implies the new year is nearly here. The power of a thank you is going to take a slightly different path now. As I am literally closing this year, I feel the need to be thankful for so many things that life has presented me with in 2024. The list is so long that it would probably endanger my blog being published today. Being grateful is a way of stopping, of pausing, of grounding to the present, rather than just looking ahead trying to get some sense out of your new year’s resolutions, I may think about them tomorrow. Today requires focus on wrapping up this year and being grateful for all my achievements over the last twelve months, all the great memories that I have managed to pack, all the old and new places visited, all the tough challenges I have had to endure, all the special occasions shared with family and friends, all the laughter and tears, all the walks along the beach and kilometres swum, all those little things that make life amazing, all the cupán tae and treats in the courtyard, all the music that has kept me singing, all those moments lived and relished together with my partner.
Thanks to all my readers for their support, for their words of encouragement, for their compliments!
Thanks to all of you who have somehow been part of my 2024!
Thanks 2024 for being such an amazing year!
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 