That special season of the year is here again. The only time family members move heaven and earth to congregate in same location to ring out the old year and ring in the new year. There’s so much much festivities, pomp and pageantry under one roof for the festive season.
Well, here’s a foolproof guide to enjoying this beautiful family time despite challenges and distractions from different generations of cousins, nephews, nieces, siblings and parents. Talk about the mingling of Gen Z, millennials and Alpha generations.
Gratitude: Create a gratitude theme and soundboard for everyone to chip in and contribute to. Tell them to list out things and moments they are grateful for. Good health is a form of wealth if you ask me.
Empathy/Compassion: This is the time to throw judgement and condemnation out of the window. Let’s prioritize love and support for each other. Let’s scale back criticisms of dressing, hairstyles, music, mannerisms to avoid fractious discussions.
Giving back: It’s that time to give out food items and used clothes to the downtrodden members of the society. Look out for widows, orphans, street kids and itinerant beggars. Have a big cookout of ubiquitous jollof and chicken for disadvantaged people in your neighborhood or Church.
Service: Look out for opportunities to serve in charity organisations devoted to prison, domestic violence and youth development. Food banks, prison rehabilitation and rape hotlines always welcome volunteers this season.
Food: Devote time to eating lots of food. Don’t stint on loading your plate with delicious delicacies. Forget about counting calories, just indulge yourself and sample different dishes from across the country.
Fun: Seek out unadulterated fun to engender feel good hormones that will reduce stress of daily living. Walk, dance , sing, journal, paint, watch movies and comedy skits just to unwind.
Laughter: Seek out deliberately occasions or opportunities for genuine happiness. Medical experts rate happiness index as equally important as chemical products. Sometimes , this could be better medicine than some of your regular medications. Laugh at your mistakes, failures and vulnerable moments during the year. As you laugh you are unknowingly diffusing stress anxiety in your life.
How are you celebrating this holiday season? Are you hopping on the bus, train or airplane to visit elderly relatives in the village homestead?
Or are you staying back in the city for endless parties, movies, feasting and revelling.
Like Detty December, Carol Concerts, Beach Parties, Food Festivals and more.
No matter how or where you celebrate, we wish you happy and safe holidays with family and friends.
Please join the conversation with your holiday stories.
Send your comments and feedback to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor
