IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

The holidaze are here again. Undoubtedly, our days have become faster paced. As the COVID-19 cases have thankfully dropped, and restrictions eased, more people have been out and about resuming their lives with some semblance of normalcy – with safety precautions still, of course. I always tell friends I have spoken with recently that as good as news is that the cases have dropped, and the vaccination roll out has increased, we must not let our guards down fully. Not only for ourselves, but for our elder neighbors, family, friends, and those with compromised immune systems.

If there is anything this pandemic has taught me, it is to do everything with proper intention and purpose. Gone are the days of saying yes to everything just to see people, and be seen. These days, I like finding meaning in all that I do. We do not have to say yes to every virtual event we are invited to just because we are at home, for instance. Why not spend time catching up with a friend (physically or virtually) or with family, instead? These days, I like to make sure that what I say yes to adds some sort of substance and meaning to my life. That it is something I will look back at and be happy to have spent time doing. That is one of the many lenses and perspectives the pandemic has lent, and given me.

Intent can be applied in so many aspects of our lives – even, and most especially in the most mundane of everyday activities and tasks. I guiltlessly cut down my Christmas list this year, for instance. While I do not necessarily see everyone I am gifting as often as I would like, I made sure every single recipient is someone who adds meaning to my everyday. Someone who values my love, care, and friendship as much as I do theirs. People who have stayed in touch, and reached out despite the challenging, and most tough of times. At the end of the day, we all go through our own hardships, and it is about knowing who will be there with you not necessarily when the sun is shining bright, but when you are learning to dance in the midst of a storm. This pandemic has revealed a lot of truths and realities – peoples’ characters included. While some people did not turn out to be who we thought, and while others have drastically changed, we have learned who it is we are willing to compromise, and bend backwards for. At the height of it all, who we are willing to risk getting exposed for. They are the ones who matter the most.

The types of gifts we choose to give as well hold a lot of meaning and intention. For instance, it is heartwarming to see a lot of friends seeking soup kitchens and organizations whose causes resonate with them most, or that they think need most help these days, so that they can give donations on behalf of others, and gift that in lieu of physical gifts. If you choose to be more traditional with a physical present, make sure it is something you know the recipient wants, or truly needs – something he/she or their family will enjoy to mitigate excess and waste. I have come to realize and have told myself this year that if I do not know what a specific recipient will appreciate receiving, then perhaps, I do not know them well enough to give them a special gift, or have them in my list in the first place. Sounds harsh, but this pandemic has also taught me that it is okay to filter. In doing so, it allows you to give more of yourself to those who deserve you most.

And so it begins. My rambles of realizations. Whether it is significant or insignificant to you, I like to share my learnings because it is a reminder to me as well, and keeps me grounded. The pandemonium of the holidays are here. Let us be careful, and not let ourselves be carried away by complacency, and all the cheer. We must celebrate, yes, after all, believe it or not, these two years more than anything has shown me that every new day is worthy of giving thanks for. But let us remember to do so with respect, caution, and compassion.