Make a wish

Jingle bells, jingle bells jingle all the way

I have deadlines to meet, just go away!!

I know, I know it's Christmas time and I should be a good little child
else Santa won't get me my presents. I could be yearning for a watch, I
could be eyeing a fully automatic washing machine, I could even want an
auto driven BMW?it's Christmas!! I can wish for anything!!!

Since the time I was a small kid I have been hearing feel-good stories
about the old man. And I have always wondered how Santa could glide
down chimneys and still not become black with soot! Ok, I won't be
sarcastic! It's Christmas!! But seriously, it did amaze me how, sitting
in some nondescript village somewhere in the North Pole, he knew what I
wanted. I never wrote a letter to him (I didn't even know his website
existed!!) and yet my Christmas presents would always reach me. Yeah,
those were the good ol' days. Days of merry making and wishes coming
true.

It's the 21st century now, I am all grown up and Santa doesn't keep
gifts for me under the neighbours' well-decorated Christmas tree
anymore. I buy what I need. And yet, there are so many things I wish
for.

I wish I had peace of mind, for one. The drudgery and hectic pace of
life leaves no time for me to get a moment to myself. I hardly come to
know when one day begins and the other ends.

I also wish I could be more gentle to those around me, especially my
loved ones. It's been two weeks now, maybe more, since I called up
home. I know my mom is worried about my health, I know dad distresses
over my working so late, but I snap at them. I am grown up. I can take
care of myself. And they meekly keep the phone down?and wait for my
next call. And my colleagues, they are so much more of a family to
me?and yet, how many times have I gone out of my way till anyone's desk
to just say hello?

I wish I were more patient, not only with others - but also with
myself. Give people the space they need and recognize that I am no
superwoman.

I wish I could give more and ask for less. I wish I took out time to
share my blessings with someone less fortunate. Take food to a homeless
shelter, or donate my time to a charity. If only I could take five
minutes out of my hectic schedule each day and do one good deed. Walk
my neighbour's dog, carry packets to someone's car, help an aged person
cross the road, or just run an errand for someone.

I wish I were more appreciative - of people and of life. I wish I'd say
thanks more often to rikshawallas who pull my weight, to the guard who
dutifully opens the door at office, to the maid who washes my utensils
and soiled clothes, to so many other "insignificant" people I take for
granted. I wish I'd be able to appreciate the beauty of a sunset, the
chirping of the birds that's lost in the din of traffic, the wild
flowers on the sidewalk, the clouds playing jigsaw puzzles?I wish I
could be one with nature and say thanks for all the exquisiteness
around me.

And while I wish only for myself, it's not because I am selfish. It's
because I can change just me. And even though I wish Santa could wrap
all these things and drop them in my stockings, I know that I have to
work to make these wishes come true.

There are so many little things that we forget or dismiss in our quest
for bigger things in life. Deadlines, office pressures, never-ending
workload will always be there. But Christmas comes just once a year.
Take out time to enjoy some ginger bread and cake with friends and
family. Celebrate the spirit of life.

And if you happen to bump into Santa, do tell him that I am waiting for
the Reeboks he promised me last year!