...a lot of cheer.
Welcome December and the final month of yet another year!
The last month of the year often catches us by surprise, especially as we have been experiencing a strange period of time over the last 2 years or so. I would like to focus on "cheer" for this month's blog, particularly as it is a word commonly used throughout Christmas and the festive season, and we may not truly understand its importance for all of us.
Nancy Levin's words above highlight the significance of the future and being aware of what is yet to happen, without being attached to the final result or outcome.
During December, it is useful for us all to reflect on the year which has passed by, to consider what we may have enjoyed, learnt and how we can approach the new year with renewed confidence. This month has given me many opportunities to reflect and I have been recalling words spoken to me by a loved one in my childhood which went as follows: "Be of good cheer".
I have been reminded of these words on multiple occasions during the past few weeks, and especially as I have now started another life journey with my fiancée!
President Thomas S Monson said:
“Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith”
President Thomas S Monson spent most of his life engaged in various church leadership positions and public service, whilst working as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It takes a lot of sacrifice to dedicate your life to the religious devotion required for role such as this, and I think the words above reflect his earnestness in living life to the full.
American author Helen Keller said:
“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere, and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles…Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.””
Helen lost her sight and hearing after a bout of illness aged only 19 months old. She was able to persevere through life using home signs and was the first deaf blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree at Radcliffe College of Harvard University. During her time spent working for the American Foundation for the Blind, she was able to travel to 35 countries around the globe. Here is an author who wrote hundreds of speeches and essays on a variety of topics, and was very successful in the 1800 and 1900s, despite her physical disabilities. She remains a stellar example for us all, especially as she spoke of cheer with such heartening and inspiring words.
Looking at the etymology of “cheer”, it is a loanword from Anglo-French, which itself is derived from Medieval Latin cara and probably Greek kara. The Anglo-French is chere "the face," Old French chiere "face, countenance, look, expression. All three source words mean "face," and English cheer—commonly found in the form chere in early medieval writings— shares that meaning. Cheer then came to refer to a person's facial expression as well as to a person's state of mind, heart, or spirit that is manifest in his or her visage. A person's cheer ran the emotional range from happiness to sadness, depending on the modifier it followed or the context surrounding it. By c. 14th century, the meaning had extended metaphorically to "state or temper of mind as indicated by expression" which could be in a good or bad sense. However, the positive sense has predominated since the late 14th century.
This demonstrates how cheer has held such prominence in the English language but has now dominated with positive connotations. Let us consider how we can spread festive cheer with so many happy occasions during this season of wintry wonders. Whether that is a Christmas present, scrumptious Christmas lunch with all the trimmings or simply a crisp walk in Nature with loved ones, take some time to spread that cheer!
Here are some beautiful festive words which I would like to share with you as we fast approach Christmas Day, which I think are comforting, irrespective of whether you are religious or not: “The light of the Christmas star to you. The warmth of home and hearth to you. The cheer and goodwill of friends to you. The hope of a child like heart to you. The joy of a thousand angels to you. The love of the Son and God’s peace to you”.
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Christmas is the perfect time to show off your culinary skills or to enjoy the dishes created by loved ones, so I hope you enjoy the variety of foodie inspiration and are able to enjoy a few hot chocolates along the way...
Wednesday Wind down With Sitara continues every week 8-10pm and I hope you're looking forward to the festive tunes tonight, 22nd December and only 3 more sleeps to go! It's a show not to be missed...especially as its the final one before Christmas!
Take the time to tune in and enjoy a variety of different weekly themes, motivational quotes and uplifting music to end your #humpday with positivity and calm.
Tune into the radio show via your smart speaker or via this link...a positive way to start the day! #localradio
I conclude December's blog with the following words which follow the picture of a stunning waterfall which I visited recently in Yorkshire:
"The best of healers is good cheer"
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Remember to take care of yourself and all your loved ones, leaving time to relax and enjoy the end of one year and the beginning of a new one!
Love always,
Sitara xxx
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