A ‘Thought for the Day’ for Black Cat Radio on 14th December 2019

I’m writing this on election day. By the time you hear it we’ll know what the result is and, whatever it is, I hope it’s a good one for our country and especially the most vulnerable people in it.

I don’t know about you, but I can get a bit fed up with hearing about politics all the time but I do enjoy seeing the pictures of dogs at polling stations, which bring some fun into things. It’s easy to forget about having a bit of fun when everything seems big and important and stressful, and not just when we’re talking about politics.

In the run up to Christmas as well we can get overwhelmed with lists and busyness and buying enough food for an army and feeling like we have to get everything perfect. We might also feel left out if we don’t have big family gatherings planned or if we’re grieving for someone. In all the pressure for the perfect Christmas we can also forget that actually it doesn’t matter in the long run if the potatoes are a bit burnt or we forget to get the cat a present. Also, that perfect Christmas Day is a myth – it’s more likely that the kids will get overexcited, there’ll be an argument and everyone will fall asleep in front of the telly.

All we really need is people we love, whether it’s one friend or a big family, a bit of a laugh, and perhaps to remember that behind all the decorations and food and presents there’s a small baby, born in a stable, who has changed everything for all of us and offers what really matters: love, joy and peace  – even in the chaos of Christmas preparations.

With best wishes for a happy and fun-filled Christmas.