Work in Progress

Valentine’s Day can be crassly commercial.

It can, if you so choose, be a reminder and celebration of the wonder of love apropos of which is this thought:

There are people who believe we stand alone, whole & complete & perhaps that’s true, but all I know is there are parts of me that would not be if they had not come alive with you….  – © 2014 Brian Andreas – posted with permission.

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Te Harinui

366 days of gratitude

Even though we have learned to focus on what matters and keep Christmas celebrations simple, there always seems to be slightly more on the to-do list than there is time available to do it by December 24th.

But Christmas Eve is here, ready or not.

I’ve been to the candlelight carol service, have done as much cleaning, tidying, wrapping and preparing as I’m going to do and now am waiting for the pavlova to finish cooking before having an earlyish night.

There’s carols in the background, the tree lights are on, even though it’s still a bit too light to appreciate them and Christmas lilies are scenting the air.

Tomorrow we’ll be celebrating with three generations of extended family, friends and probably a few waifs and strays.

Whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re doing it with, may your Christmas be joyous and may 2017 be kind to you and yours.

Speak your love

This Christmas end a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive and enemy. Listen. Apologise if you were wrong. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. think first of someone else. Be kind; be gentle. Appreciate. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Welcome a stranger. take pleasure in the beauty and the wonder of Earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it yet once again.

To-Do List

Holiday To-Do List

1. Buy be Presents
2. Wrap gifts   someone in a hug. Send cards love
3. Send cards love
4.  Shop for donate food
5. Make cookies peace
6.  See  be the lights

Preparation is key

How does father Christmas do it?

Preparation is key:

For St Andrew’s Day

Porridge every week-day morning of my childhood was more than enough and I’ve not developed a taste for haggis or whiskey.

But my tartan genes assert themselves when I hear the pipes.

So in honour of St Andrew’s Day:

P.S. Andrew is not just the patron saint of Scotland,  Cyprus, Scotland, Greece, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople,San Andres Island, Colombia and Saint Andrew, Barbados also honour him as their saint.

P.P.S.

Happy name day, Andrei.