It's the first week of December, and we all know what that means .... Yes, that's right, it's the time when I can start to eat mince pies! Not for me the mid-September Christmas treat, no, it's the start of December that marks the beginning of the festive season, and not before!
Of course, whether you agree with me or not doesn't really matter. Instead, what's important is having those personal reference points that give life some sense of structure and order. Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware that among the fundamental certainties of life is the fact that everything changes, but that's what makes having even the most limited sense of control so important. That's even more the case when life has perhaps rarely felt so unpredictable and on the edge of chaos. It's not for nothing that the word of the year is, apparently, "permacrisis"
But for me, mince pies from the start of December isn't merely a case of seeking a semblance of control, it's also a reminder of something that's just as fundamental as the inevitability of change, and that's the presence of joy. It can sound trite, I know, but in all but the most desperate moments, and perhaps even then, there's joy to be found if only we choose to open ourselves up to it.
In this instance, the joy for me lies in fully enjoying a simple treat, and in the reference point it represents for me. Where I wonder, is the joy for you in this moment? Go on, take a look, it's there somewhere .....
David
