“There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.” Charles Dickens
There is a lot of white noise today, bombarding us from many angles. Whether it is from the blare of seasonal tunes, the effrontery of marketing, the politics on media – especially with today’s social media – it can become quite overwhelming. Conditioned to be stressed, to worry about the antics of anachronistically-minded politicians, the downturn and battle lines of our economy and the fears of our future, we need to step back from the hustle and bustle of our lives. We need to take a calm breath, to put everything in perspective, as there is little we can do to change these things and we are not going away.
It is now December, the darkest month of our year, though it is also the most festive month in our world. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, this month has the most holidays. Whether one celebrates Saturnalia, the feasts of Bacchus or Dionysus, the many Eids in this month, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or Christmas – all of these holy days have the same message: it is one of hope.
It is hope that helps us overcome those trials we face in life, those challenges that will make us stronger in the end. We find this hope in many places. In the eyes of our children, in the faces of our friends and family, maybe in a song, wherever we find hope though, it helps to give us courage to overcome life’s adversities. This time of year rejuvenates us, and all is good in the world again.
For some, this is not always the case. For some, December becomes a time that reminds them how far they have fallen, what they have lost and that they are alone in this world. It is easy to judge, to castigate, and to ignore those who suffer at this time year while we focus on our own healing. For those people suffering the throes of life, hope may be in short supply, and that void becomes filled with despair.
Remembering and helping others at this time of year may just be the most human thing we can do. Though we may not be able to save the world, a simple act of kindness is all that is needed to save humanity, because it reminds us of our own frailty. This December, simple acts of charity, giving of our selves, a smile, a kind word, go a long way. Volunteering with a charity or service club can also help others. Donating to worthy causes can help strangers who need it. The opportunities to help, to connect with our community, are all around us if we look. And in the course of helping others, offering them that ember of hope, we may just save ourselves, finding the peace we crave.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Charles Dickens
John Kennair is an international consultant and doctor of laws who lives in St. Albert.
