Is it Becoming Harder to be Festive?

Is it Becoming Harder to be Festive?

As you read this, I have just returned home to Canada after a month in the beautiful Azores off the coast of Portugal. I used the time to recharge creative batteries, improve physical fitness, and mentally prepare for novel #9 in the Multima Saga.

 Ponta Delgada was an excellent place to achieve all those goals! I hope you follow my authorgarydmcgugan social media pages, where I posted dozens of photos from the spectacular island of San Miguel.

 With the end of my month of activity and reflection, it’s time to draw some conclusions and tackle new challenges in the coming months. Candidly, this time of reflection has been more sobering than usual and less joyful than hoped. I suspect many of you share my concerns about dramatic changes taking place around the globe that have the potential for a profound impact on the way we live in Canada and throughout the world.

 First, we await the impact of our American neighbors electing a convicted felon whose choices for cabinet and senior government leadership positions appear designed to undermine dozens – if not hundreds – of fundamental principles and programs their country has enjoyed for many years. A vicious war continues to rage in the Middle East with all the hallmarks of genocide that became further complicated by the collapse of the Syrian government last week. And all the while, Russia continues to attack Ukraine, whose support from the American government seems more tenuous every day.

It can be easy to let depression overrule joy and kill a traditionally festive season. But we must resist the temptation to let multiple negative scenarios reduce our celebrations of our families, our traditions, and our values.

First, let’s all read more. Coming from a writer, you might find that advice a bit self-serving. But throughout my lifetime, I’ve found that losing myself in a great book is a perfect way to ‘change the channel’ and explore new ideas, nurture different perspectives, and discover new possibilities and possible outcomes. Whether reading a work of fiction or non-fiction, our minds benefit significantly from reading.

Next, let’s give some time for the rules, laws, and societal safety nets our human development has discovered and implemented over the past hundreds of years to work on solutions. Over time, good judgment usually prevails.

I encourage all of us to use the next few weeks to enjoy the love and company of our families. Celebrate our traditions. And revel in all that is good about our annual celebrations. Finally, let’s read to escape some of the unpleasant realities we face and revitalize our mental health to cope and overcome those challenges that materialize.

Personally, I plan to continue reading widely—from biographies to creative fiction. I also plan to write more diversions for you to enjoy. In January, I’ll start to work on Novel #9 with vigor, enthusiasm, and a desire to have it ready for you to enjoy as soon as possible!

Be festive over these next few weeks!

 

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