My First Blog

It's 9:30 PM EST on Christmas eve and instead of being with my friends and relatives, I'm here, writing my first blog. Though I'm very excited about the fact that this will also be my very first post on Twitter, Facebook, FriendFeed and other cool websites which I can now consider my online rental estates.

I have so many things to write about, considering the interest I have in current affairs and other happenings but I'd stick to a simple, sweet and relevant topic - 'Christmas'.

Being born in India, I have always had the privilege to learn about the festivals (Eid, Diwali, Gurpurab, Christmas, etc) celebrated by the followers of each religion and have participated in the celebrations too. And during my 12 years of schooling in a convent (Sacred Heart) school run by a Christian Missionary, we have been a part of every ritual (Christmas tree, greeting cards, lights, bells, special feasts, decorations and prayers) that takes place during Christmas celebration.

The most important thing I've learnt from all the festivals is the feeling of unity and celebrating life together with family, friends and relatives. It's not just those days of the festival but the anticipation and wait for all the events that lead to those days. I still remember my childhood days when my excitement a few days before every festival was at its peak. And Christmas was the time when I used to get extra special gifts from Santa (dad of-course), so the wait and eagerness was justified. I always wondered how Santa came to know about my expectations. But it was one Christmas night, which made me realize how important it is to believe both, in the existence of Santa Claus and his gifts.

Here I am, 10 years after I left my home to be a part of the real world, where every Christmas is now celebrated with new friends in a newer location. But what remains the same is that feeling of excitement, the feeling of getting something new and different but at the same time expected. I was always made to believe (by mom n dad) that if you ask Santa for something you want the most, he would leave that thing as a gift in the stalkings (socks) that I used to place next to the Christmas tree and even sometimes under my pillow. Even today, I believe that every year I receive my expected gift from Santa, though the quality is improving every year.

Today, I've learned to believe in something so powerful that it can make all my doubts and ambiguities go away in seconds. I've learned to express myself in a better way to my close ones whenever I feel something is bothering me. I know this learning experience comes as an expected gift and am as always grateful to Santa (the world of-course), to present me such a nice gift, one I'll cherish forever.

I'd really love to share my other Christmas gifts with everyone, now that I've started blogging. It's 10 PM EST and I'm now planning to see the movie 'Polar Express', one which I try to see every year, as it makes me feel like a child and brings out the humility and gratitude from deep inside my heart. I hope you've also received your gift today and if not, then just close your eyes and believe, there is probably a gift inside you waiting to be unwrapped. I'll wait eagerly to hear about your gift.

May this festival and all others continue to blossom each and every soul with gifts of happiness and satisfaction.

Merry Christmas!