Ahh... The hustle to create a perfect ambience for loved ones to enjoy for a fleeting day. The priceless facial expressions, smiling eyes and ascended plump cheeks piled in presentation, for exchange, as sweet delights grace memory with warm images of worthy moments. Days or at least an entire day, prior to domestic celebration, claim kitchen warriors throughout the selfless battle to satisfy the subtle finicky folk whom have managed to win an uncharted territory of the heart, throughout the years. A generous expression of affection to offer. Faces not seen for months, finally gather to gorge on a traditional feast, where opportunity to open the soul and reconnect passionately wields welcome... for a blessed day. After appetite's quenching and slightly dramatized details of mundane months clap attentions between festive small talk, the day rolls by, in search for entertainment between digestion and intrusive questions bearing answers repeated to other participant acquaintances throughout the entire year. Acquaintances, outside of the Holiday table that share daily life, who know us better than most distant relatives. The Holidays become a rare opportunity to share time with loved ones, so far apart from our lives that social media replaces real communication, and the pace of the classic rat race excuses indifference to the rest of the year.
For others, the sense of dread to endure another day of trauma drama, even for the Holidays, hails undesired tension, instead of relishing the time off of work; yet emotional debts remain a realistic continuum. How can the annual feeling of repetitive unnecessary dread cease, to be magically alleviated and replaced with the love harboured inside, without abusing any form of substances? How can one replace abuse with genuine joy?
There's no coincidence that substance and alcohol abuse is highest during Holidays, throughout the year. So much so, that the perspective of pleasure and celebration is associated with excessive consumption of unhealthy intake including excessive alcoholic indulgence. Sadly, the cause of over-indulgence is intentionally ignored for the frayed security of avoiding self-analysis... As though acceptance of the cause is impossible--but it's not. Self love reflects unnecessary and appears weak to souls conditioned in accepting denied abuse as blind strength. It seems for the forgotten, getting acceptably intoxicated for the purpose of entertainment, is wildly overlooked as normal behaviour, just because it's socially acceptable. An excuse to cut loose doesn't mean brain abuse. Substance abuse is a clear cry for help; unfortunately, socially accepted behaviour ignores wordless pleads for assistance, regardless of how loved even acquaintances are. Just as tragic, as witnesses, we suffer silently guising our own unaccepted wounds, thus cannot differentiate others' conflicts opportunely, without clear communication. Thus the cycle continues, as for one to liberate oneself from abuse, one must first accept the fact that there is abuse. It's more difficult to define patterns in behaviour when distances are involved, therefore, it becomes a challenge to identify whether our loved ones are inflicting self-abuse... But what of loved ones who hide their sorrow behind valiant smiles for the sake of a joyful day? A day that maybe the last time shared, as denial may claim unsafe travels, or repeated behaviour elsewhere may endanger their life.
The Holidays are a time for cheer, to make merry and share gratitude for abundance and unforgettable memories throughout the year. All negativity aside, we focus on the positive, offering perspectives worthy to share, despite the magnitude of internal weight; even if that means to wear a humble smile in silence, because small talk doesn't help slide the elegant banquet down nor satisfies the desire of that momentous opportunity to really communicate with loved ones.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
May your blessed insight safely guide you home, where your loved ones can gratefully adore you.
Add comment
Comments