Meaningful, Country Connections

It's this time of year when appreciation and gratitude always tug at my heart strings. Christmas carols tend to have this power over me. The invaluable moments I was fortunate to enjoy among an agitated 2020, warmly gather in my mind and dominate my emotions. One of these pleasurable, reoccurring experiences was, and continues to be, the way I typically started my days around bouts of lockdown.

For numerous years, upon completing my morning chores, I've headed from my farm home into my local town of Tarwin Lower in South Gippsland. I check my post office box for mail, then drive a few kilometres further to reach a general store in the coastal town of Venus Bay. There I purchase the daily newspaper and devour my much-loved, caffeine heart starter.

Before any other surrounding shops open their doors, this store's coffee machine is ready and waiting to brew a delicious latté, served always with a dollop of love. Over time I have grown to know the endearing staff well, as they have me, and I appreciate their generous, friendly hospitality.

As the months progressed, I began noticing other regular, early bird, coffee lovers, and before long, strangers became acquaintances happily greeting each other.

Familiarity transpired into frequent morning gatherings of locals, whom I've grown extremely fond of. In fact, so much so, if one of us is not seen for more than two days, the rest of us become concerned.

Our little cluster blends contrasting ages and unique life experiences, yet as the seasons passed by, connections easily formed as our hands wrapped around our heated coffee cups - if only for a short while. I have the greatest respect and admiration for my lovely, humble, dawn companions, who ooze integrity and wisdom.

This almost daily occurrence has become a meaningful event. As I park outside the store and see familiar, smiling faces eager to exchange words of essence, I am assured I will have a wonderful day. It's mostly the little, spontaneous happenings in life which offer invaluable significance and contentment, and this for me is unmistakably one of them ...

Goodbye 2020 ...

Well, Christmas is once again upon our doorsteps, which means a new year is also just around the corner; a new, fresh year! How welcoming that rings.

As much as I've put on a brave face for many months and adapted to the enforced corona-induced restrictions to the best of my ability, I'm excited to finally turn a corner. Surely each combined, healing measure we achieve will soon surmount to a positive, revised normality across the board.

Will 2021 be kinder to us?

More so, has the pandemic taught us to dramatically change our ways? Are we able to support and nurture ourselves and our surroundings more prolifically?

I know I'm speaking broadly, but there is so much food for thought to consider. We've had a decent chance to reflect on all aspects of our lives during this turbulent year. If we envision a bright future for our children, becoming more proactive and mindful brings about an urgency.

So, as Australia hopefully continues to restore, open up and relax, inch by inch, how may you improve, balance, improvise or amplify your lifestyle in the coming year? How are you able to care for your environment more? Can you find time to somehow assist your community? How can you create a significant, positive difference to your existence? These are substantial questions to consider as this haunting year verges to a close and we prepare to turn another page.

2020 Christmas will look and feel a little different. Nevertheless, we can still draw on the Christmas spirit to shower generosity, hope and kindness to those around us. Simultaneously, we gift ourselves an abundance of joy knowing we brighten other's festivities.

I know some folk cringe and feel anxious just hearing the word 'Christmas', regardless of the looming virus cloud. It can be a complicated time for dysfunctional families and let's face it, many of us typically harbour them!

For those alone at this time of year, it's often a reflective, melancholic occasion. Please reach out to your isolated, elderly neighbours, those who are struggling with mental health or anyone alone you feel could use a helping hand. The smallest gesture can make such a huge difference in this often challenging time.

On that note, may you each relish in a wonderful, safe and enjoyable festive season to kiss 2020 goodbye. I'm giving it a big smooch to thank it for it's wisdom, then slamming the door behind it! Let's hope the new year will indeed be 'a happy new year'. We've all done admirably well these past, long-winded, ten months. Let's not forget to pause and acknowledge that.

Wishing you are sincere, heartfelt Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year (in a corona- safe way).