It is the most wonderful time of the year again – Christmas.
Many people have already started counting down the 12 days of Christmas.
Most have eaten the first chocolate from their Advent Calendars or retrieved their first token.
Christmas trees are fully erected, and some home’s internal and external extremities overflow with bright lights and other decorations.
Some individuals have become fully immersed in holiday music and watching their favorite Christmas movies. In various states and countries, areas are covered with white blankets of snow, contributing to the beautiful aesthetic of Christmas.
During this time, most families prepare for an extraordinary day, Christmas – celebrating the birth of Christ. People are shopping, trying to find the perfect gifts, and to prepare the best feast.
Many families are preparing to travel, while others will remain in the comfort of their own homes.
Most children are filled with joy and excitement, anticipating what gifts the day will bring.
This Christmas, rooms will be filled with love, laughter, smiles, and gift-giving.
Individuals will embrace meaningful connections, spending quality time with friends and family members they love the most.
Personally, Christmas used to be one of my happiest times of the year. But, with so many significant life changes and complexities, it is not anymore. Over the past year and a half, I have given up celebrating any holiday or birthday.
I used to look forward to erecting a Christmas tree the night of Thanksgiving and decorating it with ribbons and ornaments over the course of days until I got it right. I’d decorate tables and staircases. Plan for the shopping and getting the perfect gift. I always ensured we had the best meal and specific requests were met. For my husband, I always ensured he had everything he wanted and needed. All the way from ensuring his English premier league games were recorded so he could lie in and watch them while I prepared and cooked dinner. I also ensured we were fully stocked with his British food essentials, ranging from minced pies, Branston pickle, Christmas pudding, hot custard, fruit parfait, whiskey cakes, Advent calendar, shortbread biscuits, and more. I got most of these items from the International Market or ordered them online from the EnglishTeaStore. Outside of British foods, it was mandatory that the meal included a whole turkey, roasted potatoes, and brussel sprouts, whereas when all was said and done, we sat down at the dinner table and ate a nice meal together, even if it was only he and I – same as we did each day before and after Christmas day.
While I acknowledge each day of the year, I choose not to celebrate holidays and birthdays, but I do not disregard others who do. This is my personal preference, and I wish not to place my new way or style of living on others. I don’t decorate anymore. Nor do I enjoy cooking a large feast. I never have a desire to celebrate birthdays, mine specifically, because this new life is different. I don’t want to count years, as each day matters more than anything.
I will give to others who are deserving but have yet to learn to give to myself. Just because it’s Christmas does not mean you are deserving.I am at a critical point in my life where I only cherish the finer thing in life – life itself. With everything that has happened and being forced to undergo a complete life transformation and self-re-discovery, I know how to remove myself and say no.
My holidays and birthdays are now called life and happen daily.I know my life will never be the same, and I will forever be sad. I may forever have an inability to find complete happiness in anything I do or harvest tremendous guilt if I did.
From what I can gather, the only way things could be the same is to make the impossible possible – an EP life resurrection.
Given the curveball that life has thrown me, I do not focus on specific days of the year and choose to live life each day as if it were a gift because, in all truth, it is. Life and being able to live is the best gift any person could ask for – or should ask for. What is more rewarding is living and sharing your life with the people you love the most.
People must only engage with others they have established meaningful connections – connections that would increase their joy, happiness, quality of life, and overall life satisfaction and personal well-being.
This holiday, take time to think, self-reflect, and find ways to better understand what life means to you and the persons with whom you engage.
Celebrate with those you love and those who contribute to your positive emotions, quality of life, and life satisfaction.
Have Peace. Love. Joy. Happiness. Be merry.
Give, but never be afraid to live.
Merry Christmas All!
Dr. Pearce
Au'Pearce 
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