It’s 42 days to Christmas and preparations
have begun in earnest. If you live in the city of Lagos, Nigerian you will
confirm that the season of joy and love is here. The streets of Ajose Adeogun
in Victoria Island has been so beautifully and creatively decorated such that
it has unconsciously served as the reference that Christmas in ‘Las gidi’ has
officially begun! To further collaborate this, the count down to the most
celebrated Christmas festival in the city of Calabar, Cross River State has
begun too. So if you are still caught up in the daily ‘hustle’ of life, it’s
time to slow down, reflect and get in the mood.(ya know what I mean)
have begun in earnest. If you live in the city of Lagos, Nigerian you will
confirm that the season of joy and love is here. The streets of Ajose Adeogun
in Victoria Island has been so beautifully and creatively decorated such that
it has unconsciously served as the reference that Christmas in ‘Las gidi’ has
officially begun! To further collaborate this, the count down to the most
celebrated Christmas festival in the city of Calabar, Cross River State has
begun too. So if you are still caught up in the daily ‘hustle’ of life, it’s
time to slow down, reflect and get in the mood.(ya know what I mean)
Don’t join naysayers to bemoan the overly analyzed
economic and political climate in Nigeria, thus depriving yourself of the one
choice you alone can make – the choice to be happy!
It’s the season to be merry people! Let’ s
roll out the drums, blow the trumpets and most importantly let’s make this
Christmas count.
roll out the drums, blow the trumpets and most importantly let’s make this
Christmas count.
For Christmas 2015, I am challenging
everyone around me to redirect their focus from ‘self’ to others – ie community,
society, and neighbours. Let’s restrain the urge to indulge
ourselves in frivolities that may sometimes lead to remorse after the euphoria
ends; let’s rather invest heavily in acts of
services and show of love to everyone, especially our immediate
community.
everyone around me to redirect their focus from ‘self’ to others – ie community,
society, and neighbours. Let’s restrain the urge to indulge
ourselves in frivolities that may sometimes lead to remorse after the euphoria
ends; let’s rather invest heavily in acts of
services and show of love to everyone, especially our immediate
community.
Studies according to Mary Ann Christie Burnside show that thinking about, observing or practicing a kind act
stimulates that vagus nerve, which literally warms up the heart and may be
closely connected to the brain’s receptor networks for oxytocin, the soothing
hormone involved in maternal bonding. Kindness also
triggers the reward system in our brain’s emotion regulation center releasing
dopamine, the hormone that’s associated with positive emotions and the
sensation of a natural high. Read more here
stimulates that vagus nerve, which literally warms up the heart and may be
closely connected to the brain’s receptor networks for oxytocin, the soothing
hormone involved in maternal bonding. Kindness also
triggers the reward system in our brain’s emotion regulation center releasing
dopamine, the hormone that’s associated with positive emotions and the
sensation of a natural high. Read more here
So for those of us that have commenced some
form of Yuletide preparations; even if the plans are just taking shape in your
thoughts, before you hit the implementation button let’s consider the tips
below :
form of Yuletide preparations; even if the plans are just taking shape in your
thoughts, before you hit the implementation button let’s consider the tips
below :
- Give back to the society – I love the way Sandi Pealman explains this – Giving back during the holidays and
giving back on any other day of the year should be the same: a warm smile,
a “please” or a “thank you,” and maybe a nice hug. Instead of laying on
your horn in traffic or pushing your way to the front of a line, take the
time to make others’ days a bit happier and you’ll find you’ve given
yourself the gift of happiness, too.
In addition , hand out tangible
gifts like a pair of clothing to an orphan, cooked meal for a starving or
malnourished family, JAMB form for a disadvantaged child, house rent for a
widow, a refuse bin for your neighbourhood etc.
- Give quality time to
loved ones – the gift of quality time is priceless for it creates memories
money can never buy. So deliberately invest time in activities that are
fun, joyful and ones that will strengthen the bonds amongst family,
friends and colleagues.
- Appreciate those that have been of service to you – take out time
to appreciate in words and deeds the family(ies) and people that have contributed
in easing the journey called life this year. People such as the security
man, cleaner, cook, nanny, driver etc. Focus should be on people that can
not return your kindness.
- Volunteer – give of yourself and time in service to others this
season, opportunities abound in soup kitchens, orphanages, old people’s
home and hospitals.
Let ‘s pull efforts and resources together
and make Christmas 2015 a memorable one!
and make Christmas 2015 a memorable one!
Image credits: – Google
2 Comments
Trendy Mother
November 19, 2015 at 6:57 pm@Nkem Epe Resort and Spa? did not know that place even exist, Whatever makes your heart merry is a good treat. As for me, wherever my family chooses to settle will be my holiday spot. Not decided yet
Unknown
November 14, 2015 at 7:20 amThese are acts we should accustom ourselves to doing everyday so, for me this Christmas, I need a "me" time like a getaway to rest and relax and as well plan ahead. Thinking about spending days at Epe Resort and Spa. What about you?