It’s time to look back with gratitude, appreciation, resilience, and acknowledgement; of course, it’s the festive season! The vibe of this hour cannot be shut by any vein, as even the old ones show their crooked smiles and appreciate the life they lived until this far.
Well, the end of year reveals the lessons and escapades of a life lived in the space of twelve months. I won’t mention the days and the weeks because that might just induce a state of chronic depression for the encapsulated life in the mundane. Recounting the moments and events over the space of a year seems tedious, seeing as most of those moments entailed some kind of intoxication; liquid, vegetation and chemically induced emotional dependency.
The festive season isn’t and won’t be ‘festive’ without the over consumption of food (and liquor). It’s like everyone receives a eat anything and everything’ ticket. This is the (only) one time we are allowed to eat often times and be in a food comma state in between. Food is critical to a great festive season, well to me it is. But then after the festive you realize you’ve entered a few kilos lighter. Xmas spread is real. It’s a crazy time as we all eat like the second coming is upon. The Xmas spread is easy come but not easy to let go.
A wise man from my village once gave me this advice; “the thirst is highly heightened during the festive season. I’m not sure what happens during this time, hormones rage, bad decisions are made. It’s interesting to witness the game, the hunt in December. Some relationships are made or dismantled during this time. Some people even believe that a relationship formed during this has a quick expiry date because we are all on this festive high and once January comes, reality kicks in.” So be careful this festive, it's not love, its December. Stay vigilant and condomize your heart.
The summer bodies everyone works for in winter are destroyed during this period. I defiantly wish I could say 'watch what you eat' but that's not fair, just indulge yourself and be aware of the consequences. Well, this isn't an advice more like a gripe. The one reason I loved Xmas as a child was because I knew that a fresh, new set of clothes would come my way, and those clothes were specifically for the day even. But I remember the horrific Xmas when I stopped receiving the new clothes. That's when I knew, deep down my heart that, growing up is overrated. Just because I am in my 20s and stuff doesn't mean we forgo the tradition. Sure, I can get myself one but still the gift of Xmas clothes was great. A new year is just a cycle of 12 months to deal with the madness we call life. This is why we need to be more conscious of our decisions; they tend to haunt us longer than expected. In similar breath, even if your decisions are bad, they can't prison you. I know this sounds contradictory as I just said they follow us, it's just that as much as they follow us, we can always attend to the consequences of our decisions this passing year, then get to moving on. Whatever the vice, it had a class of its own and if it managed to entrench a place in one’s memory it should be deemed as noteworthy; regardless of the manner in which the episode translated itself. Among all the perplexity and narcissism, one is faced with the harsh reality of taking on the adult task of taking responsibility for acts committed. Responsibility and adulthood should not be used in the same sentence because they mean different things, especially when one is wedged between false consciousness and self-awareness.
Xmas is and has been always one of my favourite and worst holidays all at the same time. My favourite because one gets to spend time with loved ones and sees faces you haven’t seen in year. The Xmas feeling is temporary, which is a shame though. If we functioned with the Xmas spirit throughout the year, then the world would be a better place and maybe I wouldn’t constantly feel like absconding to Mars the first opportunity I get.
We live in a world governed by natures’ laws which are unerring, unchanging and unchangeable. One of these law states that what we do not use, we lose. It’s simple. There are elements of nature which will corrupt the paint of most nice houses and the freshness and beauty will soon be lost. Consider with me now, the love relationships we get into every now and then. A person ought to give and receive love if they are to keep the fire of love burning. Otherwise they will lose love. For love is a verb and a verb expresses action. Those in love must do things for each other to keep love.
Falling in love is the best feeling of all; everyone deserves to experience it at some point in time. But just like no two love are similar, neither can be the feeling of being in love. For some, love grows and ebbs like a tide, while for others it comes in like a storm, leaving only destruction on its wake. It could warm you in its embrace or burn you with its bitterness.
For you it is weakness and vulnerability, and telling what couldn’t be told. It could be a glance of acceptance, the murmured longings of the wishes of someone else’s heart, or a meal cooked together after a hard day’s work. It could be a knock on the door, a speeding of your heart, a desire to give all. It could be like a song on repeat until you get what you want. It could be scary while exciting. It’s just falling in love, it’s sneaky.
Suddenly you have what the whole world wants. It is like having the world in your arms and still feeling that you never have everything you want. It is irritating because it makes you dependent. What if what you love doesn’t love you back, then it feels lonely. I know I can tell my deepest secrets without the fear of being judged. Falling in love is like hitting a stable Sibebe rock. No matter what happens, I know you are going to be right where I left you, just like that solid sibebe rock. It’s having mental comfort and emotional security; it makes me fall in love with myself because the person I love see something worth loving in me.
I am very passionate about giving-without expecting anything in return! The word ‘money’ brings with it so much paranoia that people associate ‘giving’ with money, yet it is not always the case. There are times when flashing a smile as you greet someone and asking about their well-being is the greatest gift you could ever give to them. We have two gifts that we can freely give to someone each and every day of our lives, a greeting, and a smile.
These two gifts do not cost anyone anything, and you do not need to have a hefty bank balance. By giving these out, you will not become a fool or an undesirable but to the contrary, you make someone’s’ day brighter. When was the last time you gave without expecting anything in return?. I have since learned that mature people get wiser and stronger from their failures. Don’t wish things were easier, wish you were better, and never wish for fewer problems but wish for more skills to deal with them. Never wish you never encountered challenges but wish for wisdom.
At times we tend to be too hard on ourselves and neglect to look at things objectively. As I write this, I am by no means trying to promote a reckless attitude that just goes through life by simply smiling and laughing at negative moments. I am trying to promote an attitude that has feels and reacts; cry, be anxious, be nervous but quickly return to your feel and apply the relevant solution to the situation.
On the road with no end again, the year is gone. That is the farthest thing I could remember, the taste of berries, the feel of the sun, plus the smell of everything that used to be. It’s been a tough year though, but it has been a great pleasure having someone like you around; someone to offer tea when juice is a better option. It is a blessing walking with you and seeing you mature like wine.
On final note I hope you will welcome December in the best and safest way possible.
Sebenguni Writers ✍🏼
