The Tribune

By BIANCA CARTER

What is it about this time of year that makes you feel like you have to wrap up and put away all of the loose ends of this year? For me, I never want to bring the untidy and stressful stuff into the next year, so it makes sense to want to clean things up a bit.

I suppose that thinking adds to some of the stress this time of year. Along with the pressure of perfection, gift buying, wrapping, gift giving, cooking, and attending all of the parties you get invited to, it’s a pretty crazy, stressful time of year.

No one wants to let anyone down, or miss a good party, or disappoint the kids, or forget about that crazy elf that’s lounging around your home. And before you know it, Christmas will be gone and you’ll feel it all went by in a blur.

This time of year is fun for everyone – the adults, the kids, and even the scrooges that you may know, they love it too.

But there are a lot of people in the world that don’t have a beautiful Christmas like we do. There are kids that won’t get a gift, and many others that won’t get to share in ham and turkey this year. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know what’s going on in the world and it’s not a cool place in some respects right now.

I won’t be a Debbie Downer and list all of the wrong that’s out there, but at some point this Christmas, if we all joined in sending positive energy and reflecting on the not so good things happening around us, we might in fact see some small change.

They say no one man can change the world, but all it takes is one man to spread a word and a movement can form.

I know, the world has always had problems, since the beginning of time, and we may never change that and live in peace. But if Christmas is all about love and positivity and rejoicing, then why not believe that during this time of year there is a hum of a special positive energy that can cover the world?

I believe that anything is possible. Hold your family tight, tell your loved ones that you love them, and do your best to reflect on your beautiful life during this very busy time. And above all, be grateful in whatever space you are holding right now.

Wishing you that happiest of holiday seasons and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.

Love and hugs!

• Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counsellor and founder of Bun in the Oven.

For more information, e-mail her at info@babybunintheoven.com. Follow BITO on Facebook at babybunintheoven, and check out the BITO Blog every Monday and Thursday at http://babybunintheoven.com.