A dedication to all my followers, across all platforms, and an apology for absence. You can also share links if you want to connect.
There is many a festive image one could choose to head a post such as this, but I think gnomes are cool; especially Christmassy ones.
I will begin with a massive thank you to all the new faces on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, GoodReads, GooglePlus and, of course here.
If I’ve missed anyone on the NaNoBlogHop drop a reminder in the comments and I will chase it up post haste. My links are at the bottom of this post,
If you wish to share yours then I will gladly connect.
It is now just short of one month since NaNoWriMo 2016 drew to a close. In that time I have struggled to finish the project started. Perhaps the time of year has thrown in a few curve balls and demands that don’t exist in other months. I get reflective and ponderous and below there are some odes from Christmas pasts that often make me think about how fortunate we are to be blogging and celebrating. Not everyone has the ability to do that.
Even in 2016 the world is drifting on an uncertain tide and, despite my unwavering feeling that people all over it just want to get on, politicos seem less and less in touch with reality and more intent on personal ambition that skews elections and creates more problems than it solves.
There is a rather sour verse by Thomas Hardy from his final book of poetry entititled “Winter Words in Various Moods and Metres”
Christmas: 1924
‘Peace upon earth!’ was said. We sing it,
And pay a million priests to bring it.
After two thousand years of mass
We’ve got as far as poison-gas.
War poets, perhaps more than most, have a deep empathy for the spirit the season brings and the exactitude of reality in places where the season bypasses. Brushed away because it interferes with fortunate living and frivolity that millions have died to uphold. It’s not that I am cynical, but in tune with reality.
I believe the world can do better than this.
Not that I am trying to put a dampener on things, far from it. I feel that we all have a duty to step back for a moment or two and appreciate the less fortunate, spare them a thought. Maybe offer them a kindness; a cup of coffee for the homeless, a small donation to charity, a brief visit to an elderly neighbour; anything really that draws a smile on someone else that, and here’s the rub, aren’t family and might not even be someone you know.
Also reflect on what it might be like living in their shoes. Would you want to be shown a kindness by a total stranger?
If you’re still staring with the eyes saying “Eh?” then go read “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. It’s poignant and probably my favourite novel about this time of year.
Also remember, like puppies, kindness is not just for Christmas!
If you have read this far then I expect you are a good sort who gets that my message is not about sadness, but reflection and doing your bit; however small.
Now make merry, be jolly and enter the New Year with new determination and optimism to, in twelve months time, be in an even better place than you are right now; think mindfulness and well being there…not necessarily vast mansions and unlimited wealth….although….
The post it is for ALL OF YOU, wherever you are. In keeping with Great Expectations for The Dark Tower movie “Long days and pleasant nights.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR
If you want to connect then feel free to join in.
© G Jefferies and Fictionisfood, 2016. All rights reserved.