It feels like we have officially hit that time of year when someone presses the fast-forward button.
The calendars are filling up, weekends are disappearing before they have even arrived, end-of-year plans are being made and there seems to be something happening in every town and village across our region. And I absolutely love it.
There are so many fantastic events, festivals, markets, sporting events and community celebrations coming up over the next few weeks. Even better, there are plenty of free events in the mix, which makes getting out and enjoying our region that little bit easier for families watching the budget.
Take a drive to a neighbouring town, visit an event you haven’t been to before, wander through a market, listen to some live music or simply pack the family into the car and see where the day takes you. Every time we attend one of these events, we are supporting the volunteers, community groups, businesses and organisations that put an enormous amount of work into making our region such a great place to live.
But with all that activity comes a little reminder from me: slow down.
The roads are getting busier, there are visitors travelling through our towns and plenty of us are rushing from one commitment to another. Please take your time on the roads, be patient with each other and remember that getting there five minutes later is far better than not getting there at all.
A little kindness goes a long way at this time of year too.
Believe it or not, Christmas planning is already well underway across many of our communities. Christmas parties are being booked, presents are being thought about and festive events are starting to appear on the calendar.
For many people, Christmas is wonderful. For others, it can be a difficult, lonely or isolating time. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and so do our Christmas celebrations. Maybe this is the year to check in on the neighbour who lives alone. Invite someone along who might not have somewhere to be. Or organise a little “Friend-mas” for the people in your life whose family dynamics mean the traditional Christmas gathering isn’t quite so simple.
Sometimes being included is the greatest gift we can give someone.
And, as always, I’ll keep encouraging everyone to shop local wherever they can this Christmas. Every dollar spent with a local business helps support local jobs, families and our communities.
But I also want to say this: Christmas is not about the dollar value of what is under the tree. A thoughtful gift, something handmade, a coffee together, an offer to help, a phone call or simply making time for someone can mean far more than anything with an impressive price tag.
As we head into one of the busiest — and best — times of the year in our region, enjoy it. Get amongst the festivals. Support local. Travel safely. Be patient. Check on your people. And perhaps most importantly, be kind. You never really know what someone else has going on behind the scenes.
Kel 🙂
