As the week’s pass, it is unbelievable to believe that it has been four months since I first arrived in Ireland. So far, it has been an amazing time, I have met some amazing people and seen some spectacular places. The first semester of graduate school is coming to an end, and I can safely say that the next few weeks off will be much enjoyed. School has challenged me in so many ways, teaching me valuable life lessons about myself, reminding me the sacrifices it takes to achieve a goal. Spending so much time this month in the classroom and library made me forget that my favorite time of the year is approaching; Christmas.
Many people love Christmas because of the gift getting, or the chance to have off from school and spend it with friends. I am not saying those aren’t great things or reasons to look forward to, it is just not my favorite reason. The reason I enjoy Christmas time so much is because of the way people act toward each other, as they get what is considered to be the “holiday spirit”. We live in a world of such selfishness, and greed often placing our importance on material objects instead of stuff that actually matters. During Christmas time I see people with smiles on their face, doing good deeds for others out of the kindness of their heart. I notice how people take the extra second to hold the door for another person, or how the word “Thank You” is used quite so often. I notice how people take joy in giving gifts to others just to see the priceless reaction on the face of the person receiving the gift. They are rejuvenated by the time of the year.
During the other months of the year, I see people with tunnel vision, majority of the time not even taking the time to acknowledge others, focused solely on themselves. It is scary to think that it takes a certain time of the year to change a person’s attitudes or values. If everyone treated everyday like it was Christmas maybe we would not be surrounded in such a self-centered, ego-oriented world.
With Christmas around the corner, try to think about the “holiday spirit” you possess and bringing that “giving” attitude into the new year.
DB
