Boxing Day and hope.

There is something about the shifts in the earth and the way they affect us. There is a reason that, for as long back as we can garner, there were traditions and celebrations and observing of the transitions of the planet.

There is a change in us. A shift. A shift that makes everything just that little bit uncomfortable. I always felt it, but put that down to hating forced festivities.

Then I had a child and I warmed a bit to festivities (not completely, but more than I’d imagine) and, this year, I realised that the shift, a shift I have no control over, is going to happen. So, it’s going to happen to me, regardless.

What I do have control over is how I deal with it. I can shape and reshape how I respond. The full moon nightmares? Listen to them. The festive gratitudes? Savour them. The New Year hopes? Challenges.... (She says with a grimace.)

When you know there needs to be change. When you know you need to step up just that little bit more. When you’ve been trying, no one could say you haven’t tried hard, but it needs to be achieved. There’s no other option. It has to change.

When you don’t need a push off anyone but yourself, but you could do with a chance. You could REALLY do with a chance.

I grew under the false assumption that if you try hard you will succeed. Other people’s lives taught me that it’s true that if you don’t try hard your success won’t last, but my life taught me that you can try as hard as you like and sometimes, when you’re not looking, the rug is whipped right from under you. You can be a good or as kind as you’ve always been and someone, or something, can still destroy your stable.

If you’re there, particularly if you’re there and no one else knows, I give you the biggest hugs. It’s hard. Carrying a burden alone is extra hard. I have no magic wand. I’d have used it on myself if I had.

So to today. Boxing Day is traditionally for the servants and, probably tellingly, has always felt like more my sort of day.

This years gift to myself is to continue to choose hope. I am aiming to leave my fears and sorrows for the dark and put on hope coloured glasses each morning, to bring as much brightness as I can muster to each day.

So, to all the servants, to all the people working hard on behalf of others, straining on behalf of others, all the very best to you.

I am going to put on my mask, face my fears, and hope.

Much love to you.

#highcroftwriting #hope #boxingday #seasonalshifts