Yes, it’s that time of year again. Whether you love it, hate it, or are completely indifferent to it doesn’t matter. Christmas always comes around.

When I was a kid I loved it but as a young adult I couldn’t see the point in it. I became a combination of Scrooge and the Grinch. Then for a number of years I became indifferent to it and could take it or leave it.

When my beautiful daughter Kael was born I fell in love with it again because of the magic it brought to her. Christmas became fun again for what I perceive as all the right reasons. Generosity, love, family and friends were all important parts of this, and still are.

I’m not too fussed about the commercial side of it although it’s fun to give and receive presents. The most important parts of it for me though are being able to socialise with loved ones and having it as a great excuse to switch off, chill out and completely relax for a few days. It’s great to lie-in, share food with loved ones, watch movies, play board games, video games, read or do absolutely nothing.

The last two, though, have been very important to me. Having a cancer diagnosis brings everything into perspective. I’ve written before about living in the moment and this Christmas I am feeling that even more. Enjoying it and loving it where I can, living life to its fullest in the ways I choose to. How we live life to the fullest is a very individual concept. It’s up to you to choose how you do it. There’s no right or wrong. It’s personal. So long as you’re not hurting others go for your life.

If Christmas isn’t your thing for whatever reasons then just enjoy the holiday season. It’s up to you. Maybe ignoring it completely is what you like to do, and that’s fine. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. Just be yourself.

I have every intention of enjoying it. These moments in time are so precious to me now and I want to leave happy memories of the festive season for my family. Especially for my daughter. Having said that I intend to be around for a lot more, but you never know. That doesn’t just apply to my cancer either. A lot of tragic events happen in life that cause people to shuffle off this mortal coil far too early. So live it because you don’t know when your time’s coming.

This may sound weird but I also feel a sense of obligation to enjoy it. There is so much suffering in the world right now. Well, there is every Christmas and all year every year. There are people who would love to celebrate Christmas but they can’t for one reason or another. Whether it’s due to war, illness, poverty, loneliness, isolation, work or numerous other reasons. That doesn’t mean they don’t want to enjoy themselves, it means they can’t. Life can be unfair like that.

I used to think that for those reasons that Christmas was crap and should be avoided. Then one year I saw an interview with a young homeless girl who desperately wanted to have a Christmas and feel loved and wanted. But she wasn’t and it was so sad to see this. One of the things she said though made me rethink the Christmas concept. Rather than being a Christmas Scrooge she wanted others to enjoy it. Really enjoy it, because if she could then she would. She was saying that if you have the ability to enjoy it then you should because there are plenty who can’t but want to. That helped to change my perspective and made me realise that when I could enjoy it I should. Then a few years later my daughter was born and the rest is Christmas history.

I also understand that for some Christmas is a very deep spiritual experience. Whether you’re a Christian or not. I respect that. I’m more of summer solstice celebrator for that, or winter solstice when I’m back in England. Damn this north/south hemisphere solstice thing can get confusing. In some ways with my personal spirituality I combine solstice and Christmas into my belief systems. It’s a time for me to reflect on my spirituality and give thanks for another year of life. In a lot of ways the spiritual side of Christmas is far more important than the commercial side.

That’s it. A short blog post this time but I wanted to share my Christmas feelings with everyone.

I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads my blog, follows it, has signed up for it or all of the above. I hope you continue to read my posts as it means a lot to me. So, THANK YOU!!

For those of you who have donated money I really appreciate that more than I can put into words. With a humble heart I say THANK YOU!!

Whatever you choose to do this festive season, live life to the fullest, give love and allow yourself to be loved. Enjoy yourself if you can and be safe out there.

See you after Christmas, hopefully with another post before the end of the year.

Big Love to you all!!

Jon