While I sat to ponder what my final messaging of 2020 would be, I couldn’t help but think about what a strange and unexpected year this has been. Eight months ago, during our COVID lock down, I wrote about the grief and loss many of us were experiencing. At the time, I was doing my best to be a realist about how long this would go on, and what things we would most likely be missing out on, such as Stampede and holiday travels. Since Thanksgiving has come and gone, we are in the midst of a second wave because many are struggling with COVID fatigue and have not been as rigorous with our COVID safety protocols. Quite frankly, we are all tired of the new normal. Christmas, and the holiday season is now upon us, and the losses are ongoing. With the reality of continued social distancing, and only interacting with immediate family for gatherings, I felt it was time to look at how to shift our negative emotional battle into a positive outlook, moving forward through the holidays and winter months.
Light up the night – This is the time to string up those Christmas lights. We created a most impressive Halloween for kids this year, and I expect the neighbourhood lights to be more abundant, turned on earlier, and left on later this winter.
Walk instead of driving around the neighbourhood to see the lights.
Be creative – Replace or create a new, or different holiday tradition this year.
Resurrect Christmas carolling – Grab a few neighbours, friends, or family members, print up some sheet music, dress warm and festive, and sing your hearts out to your older neighbours who have been staying close to home or shut in.
Christmas dinner delivery – Are there family members or friends that can’t gather with you that live in town? Go ahead and create your usual amazing Christmas turkey dinner, and then pack up meals and deliver them with all the fixings. Not only will you get to enjoy the aromas and meal, your body will recall the same tired memory of creating the meal once you put your feet up at the end of the day, and your heart will be lighter knowing you brightened someone’s day.
Home movie nights – Throw all of your holiday DVDs in a box and pick one to watch each night. If you are digital, make a list on strips of paper and then draw a title each night. Maybe try a backyard screening on a starry night, with all the bonfire ideas mixed in.
Baking cookies and creating gourmet hot chocolate – Go a step further and deliver some of your bounty with neighbours and friends.
Ice skating – Many communities have outdoor rinks. Volunteer to help maintain them, and maybe even buy a new pair of skates this year, it’s great exercise.
Tobogganing – There are hills all over the city. Don’t dress too warm, as you will be fired up from all the hill climbing and laughing.
Back yard bonfires – Turn on some music, grab a to-go mug of hot chocolate, throw a blanket on your lawn chair, and enjoy the company of a few more people under the starry winter sky.
Deck the halls with warm and cozy – pull out all your overstuffed pillows, fuzzy socks, thick and soft throws, light the fireplace, and light some candles.
Redirect your thinking – The holiday season is about generosity of time and heart, not materialism. Challenge each other to make gifts, or limit the amount of money spent on gifts, to force creative and thoughtful gifts this year.
Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude – Focus on the things you have control over and all the positive things you have in your life: family, friends, good neighbours, a great community, health, a roof over your head.
A positive mental shift requires setting intention in how we think and focusing on choosing to be positive. Challenge one another to look for the positive in situations and hold each other accountable. I am truly grateful for your continued readership of my ramblings, feedback, and topic suggestions throughout the year. I wish all of you and yours, good mental and physical health through the Christmas and holiday season, and into the new year.park
