Christmas

EMBRACE THE TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
To most, start of December is stating christmas is here.While I try and hold myself back from heading into full-blown Christmas whole year, I usually find it  more easy to go by around December because I know almost everyone shares my enthusiasm.
It's amazing what christmas does to us .It waves a magic wand to the world and beyond.
When i grew up it was and still is,my favourite season of all times.It brought softness and beauty to everything. Everything was light, no jokes were too dry.We could tolerant each other.A simple act of eating together meant the world.
During this season in today's  ,people "embrace" christmas spirit .People smile,gift each other(very important).To some,it's another time of the year to hold on the  traditions.Some spend time with loved ones/family and they create  more memories.
Times have changed and i wonder ,is the holiday season still without a doubt,the  favourite time of the year to many?I probably asks that question because am in Europe(Norway)and the culture is different.As an outsider, i think the holidays can be a lonely and stressful time, making the idea of holiday cheer nothing more than wishful thinking.For people like me probably difficult because you have no family around but for the Norwegians its more hectic and stressful because of the expectations and anticipation.Over the years,some people have grown cynical of Christmas. They have run out of good gift ideas, gotten fed up with the shopping mall feeding frenzy, and been downright been pissed off at ungrateful people.
The pressure to spend money you don't have destroying the spirit.The truth is, in Norway there are more people spending Christmas alone more than you think.They can't handle the pressure or they just can't afford it and they would rather avoid getting together with the rest.
My mum always said to us,Like in most African families- Christmas is not all about the new clothes ,gifts or expecting much.We were taught and still are reminded important virtues.We are  reminded to be thankful by being encouranged to share with those with and without.It's a day to show kindness not only to those who love us but to those who have wronged us,so we forgive and ask for forgiveness.
We are reminded to appreciate the little or the much  you already have.We were actually made to sit in the evening and say what we were thankful for.A time to be  compassionate and kind to one another. We had to say one kindact we had done,in a way we did a lot of reflection. Break bread with the hungry, share laughter  and thats The true spirit of christmas.This time usually  dont spend with only the family ,but with neighbours,friends and even strangers.We welcome anyone to eat with us.What was and still is  exciting is being able to share a meal and eat which ever kind of food.Being able to come together as one was.Maybe thats the spirit we should embrace here,all the time.

I LOVE THE SOUND OF THE RAIN.

   I love the sound of rain, why do I love it? I simply connect the sound of rain to relaxation and warmth .Yes, you heard right. Others think of rain as cold and wet.Uff!
Because of rain we get to create a different ambience. We fire up the oven, make a big mug of hot chocolate and snuggle down in that warm blanket.  Cosy right? I think for me there is a more deeper explanation. Something related to my beliefs, my roots/culture or simply my primitive self.
I love the  rain because as a country girl, rain means good harvest. The heavens open, and it  pours, then  the gods are happy. That means blessings.
 When it rains, it sparks my child hood memories. We gathered around the fire, stretching  our arms towards the fire, to get as much heat as we could possibly get. Everyone was facing towards the fire and hence towards everyone else.
Everyone's faces were  lit, making facial features easy to read, especially when we told stories.
We created a boundary against the dark dangers of the night creating a safe-feeling. Some time we could just keep silent for a minute to listen to the sound of rain and the fire popping. We could wait for a long one min just to hear that pop, and we would burst into laugher. As the firewood burnt the light patterns of fire  changed ,adding visual interest. If the wind was blowing softly
,the  smoke direction create some drama that kept things dynamic. I love the rain and it’s sound.
The amount of peace it brings me is enormous.Does rain remind of something?