THE older I got, the more I wanted to preserve our family's Christmas traditions. But the more I grew up, I also found more difficulty keeping them.
One Christmas tradition I hold close to my heart is our family Noche Buena. I've never spent Christmas apart from my family. There have been many instances when my friends would invite me to spend the holidays at the beach or in another country. The thought always appealed to me, the thrill of a new Christmas experience excited me. But always, always, I would say no. Christmas meant being with my grandparents, my family, my aunts, uncles and cousins. Christmas won't be Christmas without my family.
Traditions during Christmas are important to me because they bring my family together. We used to be one huge bunch. My grandparents' home would be littered with candy wrappers and grandchildren giggling all over the place. We would play parlor games, go caroling, wait till midnight and scream Merry Christmas! And then we'd dive into our presents. Over the years, family members began migrating to other countries until there were not more than twelve of us. It was weird seeing the numbers dwindle, but at the core of our hearts, we knew we were still family. At least that's why I continue to choose spending Christmas Eve with my relatives.
Traditions only begin to lose their meaning when they turn into habits that turn mechanical. You know, going to a family gathering just because you have to, not because you want to. It's making an appearance but not making your presence felt. It's heartless, really, and very, very sad.
Keeping traditions alive during the holidays helps keep the Christmas spirit alive. Sometimes you feel like you've outgrown them, but it'd be good to keep it alive for the younger ones -- nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren... I think of the little ones and that's all the reason I need to put more love into keeping our Christmas traditions sacred. It's a magical time for them, and it'd be great to keep the magic alive for them for as long as we can.
I'm looking forward to our Noche Buena. It will be another intimate gathering for sure. There may not be many of us now, but the fact that we're still celebrating it together means we all hold dear to us the true meaning of Christmas -- family and love.
Merry Christmas everyone. Here's wishing your Christmas traditions are full of love and cheer. :)
December 2008 Archives
THE older I got, the more I wanted to preserve our family's Christmas traditions. But the more I grew up, I also found more difficulty keeping them.
One Christmas tradition I hold close to my heart is our family Noche Buena. I've never spent Christmas apart from my family. There have been many instances when my friends would invite me to spend the holidays at the beach or in another country. The thought always appealed to me, the thrill of a new Christmas experience excited me. But always, always, I would say no. Christmas meant being with my grandparents, my family, my aunts, uncles and cousins. Christmas won't be Christmas without my family.
Traditions during Christmas are important to me because they bring my family together. We used to be one huge bunch. My grandparents' home would be littered with candy wrappers and grandchildren giggling all over the place. We would play parlor games, go caroling, wait till midnight and scream Merry Christmas! And then we'd dive into our presents. Over the years, family members began migrating to other countries until there were not more than twelve of us. It was weird seeing the numbers dwindle, but at the core of our hearts, we knew we were still family. At least that's why I continue to choose spending Christmas Eve with my relatives.
Traditions only begin to lose their meaning when they turn into habits that turn mechanical. You know, going to a family gathering just because you have to, not because you want to. It's making an appearance but not making your presence felt. It's heartless, really, and very, very sad.
Keeping traditions alive during the holidays helps keep the Christmas spirit alive. Sometimes you feel like you've outgrown them, but it'd be good to keep it alive for the younger ones -- nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren... I think of the little ones and that's all the reason I need to put more love into keeping our Christmas traditions sacred. It's a magical time for them, and it'd be great to keep the magic alive for them for as long as we can.
I'm looking forward to our Noche Buena. It will be another intimate gathering for sure. There may not be many of us now, but the fact that we're still celebrating it together means we all hold dear to us the true meaning of Christmas -- family and love.
Merry Christmas everyone. Here's wishing your Christmas traditions are full of love and cheer. :)
OH, spontaneity, you are my constant struggle. I'm a planner by nature. I like waking up at a particular time, doing my routine the same way and having a good schedule to follow. When a new agenda is brought into the mix, I get frazzled. No!, I would immediately say. You're messing up the plans! Perhaps it's forgivable when there's a schedule in place.
When there's something new to try or an interesting place to visit, my reflex is to say "No, I'm not interested." I find that the comfort of my cocoon is enough and I don't need anything new to explore.
But I do need to explore. One should never cease exploring. The childlike wonder in me wouldn't let me rest until I say, "Okay, okay, YES! Let's do this!"
With the wonder kicking in
It started with the little things. Saying "yes" to a game of race car driving in the arcade. Playing boxing with cartoon-inspired giant gloves in a makeshift ring of a carnival. Things I had thought too juvenile, activities not befitting someone in his thirties. Upon the encouragement of my companion, I agreed to perform these activities and found myself enjoying them. I said "yes" and I enjoyed. Now I look forward to racing my friend everytime we're at an arcade.
Then there were other things I learned to say "yes" to more often -- invitations from friends, events, restaurants, even clothes. I didn't immediately say "yes" to everything. Everytime an opportunity would come, instead of listing down reasons why I shouldn't go, I'd think, "Hey, why not?" Why not try it out? Why not go?
It wasn't easy for me. It still isn't. But I've experienced that everytime I pushed myself a little bit more and said "yes," I actually enjoyed.
Saying yes more opens yourself up to new experiences. It encourages you to explore more of the world, whether it's a plate of exotic food or an event you wouldn't normally think of going to. Saying yes more does mean taking more risks. It also means becoming more conscious of the things laid before you. Just because you want to experience the world more doesn't mean you'll throw yourself off the cliff shouting "YES!!!!" Woah, hold on, cowboy. Saying yes also means making smarter, wiser decisions.
Go on, try it. It's not easy, especially if you're so entrenched into your comfort zone like I am. But with the support of loved ones and a strong belief that I don't want to let go of childlike wonder, I gather the strength to say yes more often.
