‘Tis the Season to be Jolly

 After Diwali if there is one thing that I look forward to, it is the festive month of December. In all sense, December is like the Sunday of the year – chill, relaxing with a tinge of sadness at another year gone by with probably not having achieved everything we had set out to.

The month is always special to me though. There is pleasant nip in the air (we Mumbaikars are satisfied with that!), there are plans of year end breaks/travels, friends/relatives from abroad visit you after a year or few. There are functions, get-togethers, streets lined up with festive Christmassy decorations & lights. The vibe in office is chill & relaxed – there is Christmas tree & Secret Santa. It is a pleasant time.

Except this time it didn’t feel that way. Yes, there was a relaxed atmosphere, the Mumbai winter set in finally, plans were made but something didn’t quite feel right. Does this happen with you? You want to feel upbeat, happy, relaxed. But your mind starts playing games with you. You don’t feel that positivity that surrounds you this time of the year.

Looking back, this has been an amazing year for me – to a large extent.

I finally started accomplishing my life-long dream of travelling places the year round (A visit to 7 cities in India & 2 countries – personal best!)

I managed to shed some more of the unwanted kilos.

I have met some amazing people, made some great friends.

I met my brother & niece and spent good time with them.

Continued to write – did manage some 5 write ups & a few poems this year.

Love affair with cooking was a constant – experimented with so many cuisines, I’ve lost count

But as a human, it is normal to not be satisfied. Ambitions, dreams, hopes, expectations are something that never let us be truly happy with anything.

Do you remember the last time you were really happy? When you did not worry about what tomorrow will bring? If the presentation is ready or bills have been paid or some appointment is pending or the million other things we have got into the habit of worrying? I don’t! At any point of time I find myself thinking far away into the future with hopes or far back into my past, re-living it – to see how better things could have panned out. Always hoping to be doing a lot better than what I am doing currently, wanting to get my due from the society, wanting to taste success & happiness and wanting to rid my mind of this constant worry if will whatever I do ever be enough?

It is the last week of December – there are festivities in the air. There is music & lights & Christmas Trees & gifts. But all I want is just one thing the coming year. That childlike, innocent happiness – free from all reason, hopes & expectations.

There may be no reason to be jolly but ‘tis the season to be jolly & that should be reason enough. Is it possible?

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year guys! Have a great year ahead!

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