Earlier today, I announced to friends that I have lost my X’mas spirit and instead it was replaced with a bitter-sweet sensation. I guess I was going through some crisis which barred my brain from registering any form of celebratory mood. It was the whole commercialized thing. Yes, I know this is an old argument but indulge me ands let me go into it a little.
This year, my friends are going about the same routine. Frantically shopping for gifts, wish-lists, requesting gifts in return and where about to host the most fabulous of parties. The more invites and request and gift ideas that came to me, the more irritated I felt. They hold grudges and bar friends from their events. Everything on the list was simply branded and(to me) ridiculous.
People asked what my wish list is. So here it is.
1) I wish for my future to be a happy one
2) I wish for my friends to be happy
3) I want to see more smiles around in my family
4) I want to be able to spend more time and catch up with my friends
Nothing materialistic. I am contented with my material needs as it is right now.
With all that said, I’m also pleased to say that at this moment, I have found my x’mas spirit back. It wasn’t some perilous pilgrimage nor divine intervention. It was a scene, which I found extremely heartwarming, and also the actions of a friend.
The scene was simply parents carrying their children and toddlers into the air. Watching the kids attempt to grab the ‘snow’ coming out from the x’mas décor outside the shopping centre. For some reason, I found that very heart warming. Simple pleasures which produced genuine happiness.
As for the actions of my friend, he surprised me and got me a gift. (Yes I was genuinely surprised) But it wasn’t so much of the gift itself as compared to the message that came along with it. He sent me a SMS after we parted ways hoping that my Christmas spirit would come back to me soon and that the gift would make my x’mas less bitter-sweet.
I feel that seeing and receiving all that, if I still didn’t get my spirit back, I’d be the grinch!
But really, I do miss being a kid. The idea of Santa and Christmas and everything is so much simpler and more fun back then. No worries about politics. No worries about hidden agenda. (though I think that ‘be good or you won’t receive a present’ is a bit blackmail like don’t you think?)
I refuse to conform to society and cultural upbringing. We worry too much over materialistic and unimportant stuff when we could spend the time and obsession to care for a friend in need.
I want to believe that the Christmas spirit isn’t just some words people throw around. I say fuck the cynical non-believers who jest at the idea of Christmas being a time for forgiveness and simply having a fantastic time catching up with friends.
They’ll never take my believes, energy or individuality away from me. And I hope it’s the same for whoever is reading this. Stay strong! I believe that deep down inside, everyone has a part in them where they want to celebrate Christmas just like a child again. Simple, honest, genuine. My only question is, what’s stopping you?
Here’s to wishing you a fabulous Christmas ahead and please don’t forget to spend some special time for your loved ones, family and close friends. They’ll definitely appreciate it 
Johnathon Kwok
