Tag: Christmas

General

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2023

The Little Mermaid

It’s the season of scarlet red!

Merry Christmas and a very happy, prosperous New Year 2023 to you all, my cherished friends from around the globe.

On this glorious occasion, my special desire is for you to discover a blissful lightheartedness in your soul, which would most artlessly shine through your eyes. I solemnly hope that you will find the tenacity such that when life knocks you down 10 times, you get back up 11 times; when life knocks you down a 100 times, you get back up a 101 times; and when life knocks you down a million times, you get back up 100 001 times on your feet.

May you shoot to greater heights both in your personal and professional life. Keep chasing your dreams.

I love you.

Hugs and kisses

The Little Mermaid X

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2021

The Little Mermaid

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is the special time of the year, yet again, for us to gather harmoniously to celebrate Christmastide with our beloved family and friends. As history unfolds itself today, by strange and unforeseen paths, when we have, quite ascertainably, little control over the future and no control at all over the past, let us not relegate the true meaning of Christmas; that is, to give up one’s very self-to think only of others; and how to bring the greatest happiness to others. From this perspective, and from this spirit of communion which unites us, I am writing to share my parrhesiastic thoughts with you.

I will begin by saying what many of us would like to skate over on this merry occasion. One thing I know for certain: It is better to be unhappy and to know the worst, than to be happy in a fond illusion. Nowadays, a lot of people are living a lie. However, without the masquerade of our superficial lives, without the titles and proprietorships, without the massive bank account and the sports car, the sexual conquests, the church gatherings, the charitable affairs, without the glamorous Instagram feeds and the medals on our chest-who are we? Who are we after we draw the curtain and we are left stark naked in the face of our reality? A calm or an unsettled soul? In this age of dynamic changes marked by perilous uncertainties, finding the center of strength within ourselves is the best contribution we can make to our fellow men. One person with inner strength exercises a salving effect on panic among people around him. This is what our society needs-not new ideas and gadgets; critical as these are, and not geniuses and superheroes, but persons who can “be”, that is, persons who have a center of strength within themselves.

There is before us a disaster namely the Coronavirus, the monstrosity of which is of the most grievous kind. You, my dears, ask, what do we do in the current circumstances? I will say: It is to move forward with all our might and with all the valiancy that God can give us: to brace ourselves to the sacred missions we are called upon to discharge, sweep the mine, plough the land, build the houses, patrol the streets, succour the afflicted, uplift the dispossessed and the lonely and honour the brave. Friends, let us go forward together in all parts of the world. There is not a week, nor a day, nor a second to lose. It is the hour not for disconsolateness, but for courage and rebuilding; and that is the ethos which should rule our mind in 2021.

I welcome this golden opportunity to tell you that I am continually surprised by the ingenuity of your works, the creativity of your ideas, the modernity of your thoughts and the largeness of your heart. We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, twirling and dancing in the eddies of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment indeed. I must also thank you for inspiring me everyday to dream more, to do more, to be more. May all of you continue to create wonders and magic in the coming year. Hope is not cancelled. Optimism is not cancelled. Faith is not cancelled. So, live the wonderful life that is in you! Spread your wings; be afraid of nothing.

I wish you and your close ones a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year 2021. Stay blessed!

Love, hugs and kisses

The Little Mermaid

 

General

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020

The Little Mermaid

Dear esteemed friends,

It is with feelings of profound fondness and of consummate delight that I have the honour to address you all for who you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers and magicians; and to share my impression on the festival of the Nativity of Jesus Christ and New Year with you. In these weeks that are passing by so euphorically, we see parks, public squares, roads, stores, hotels and restaurants welcoming the party season with sparkling firs, bows and baubles galore. Even buses are decked out with all things Christmas. The mesmeric decorations all over the world, besides being an affirmation of the majesty of the moment, provide a most heartening warmth in our soul.

In the same breath, this is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, boldly, without prevarication. Hello parents, I’m pretty sure you are wondering what gifts to buy for your darling kids or grand-kids; and I feel your bewilderment at the plenitude of choices that you have. I ask of you, my dear people, what is a person more likely to remember, twenty years on, about his Christmas Day when he was only a five-year-old child? Is he going to recollect the deluxe $800 Lego “Star Wars” Millennium Falcon-a few pieces of which had been lost in just two days or is he going to recall, with vivid images, the ski trip he had taken with his siblings and how he had laughed uncontrollably when his father had farted in front of the disguised Santa Claus on that day? I trust you have gained not only glimpses of particular scenes, but also the purport of my words. Make mindful purchases. If you are to spend, then spend unhindered on things that will nourish your children’s ingenuity and spark their creativity. Spend on travels. Spend on books. Spend on musical instruments. Let your present leave its mark on your child’s heart forevermore. It must be borne in mind that in another part of the world, there is a parent working fingers to the bone from sun up til sun down so he could get his son a new pair of school shoes on Christmas Day.

It is far from my wish to make any sepulchral statements on an occasion that might well be called one of rejoicing but the reality is brutal. Our world is ailing. And if it takes brutal honesty to say it, so be it. The first step in solving any problem is recognising there is one. If we do not take this first step, we cannot hope for a better future. Our world is sick, yet silent-in the same manner a mother shrugs off her own sufferings, her own pains, to stand on her feet and prepare the ceremonial roasted turkey for her family. From being touted as ‘global warming’, ‘climate change’ to the climate crisis, you and I have witnessed, with horror and heartbreak, with a fundamental sense of the size and urgency of the catastrophic biodiversity damage, the war against Nature. They often say that living on the edge is the new fashion but what could be edgier than taking the whole of life on this planet to the edge of annihilation? With all bets off. I have fervent hopes, that if today, we promise to care for the Creation, the Creation will take better care of us till eternity. This would be the most invaluable gift to our children, and to our children’s children.

Uncertainty is hovering over the global economy. The political in-fighting of Brexit continues to weigh on the UK, with the rest of us not imperviable to its large-scale systemic risks as well. Unemployment, poverty, security and health remain an ongoing tremendous challenge for us to tackle in the new year. Every child born today is already burdened with a share of the enormous debt that our government has run up by borrowing money. Moreover, the destabilizing effects of conflicts in countries like Yemen and Syria are impossible to ignore. Amidst the prevailing chaos, the tribulations, the real and most meaningful Christmas presents for our close ones cannot be an iPhone 11 Pro or a PlayStation 4; the most beautiful gifts would be that of giving all of them equal opportunities, of saving their world from further ecological destruction, of giving them a pollution-free existence, of giving them the liberty to dream big and to pursue their goals through incisive economics and last, but not the least, of securing a future to enable our children to go through their daily life and work, knowing that they have peace, they have safety, they have freedom.

Our unity as bloggers may well be a unique spectacle, and an episode in itself. It is my duty to pay the most wonderful tribute of gratitude and admiration to you, my loving friends. I am very glad to hear of the excellent work and splendid deeds you are carrying in the fields of arts, literature, music, technology, leadership and philanthropy among others. I need not say, also, how much I feel the compliment and pleasure of being connected with you. There’s something consoling about listening to or reading someone’s words that sound relatable; words that have to do with something we’ve specifically been through but never knew how to put in words, or something we’ve always had at the back of our head, but we were never really conscious enough about it until we met someone in the blogosphere who’s able to give it a name. The best of all is, those heart-to-heart conversations that bring out the most genuine feelings and lots of “I thought I was the only one”. When we ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions or cures, have chosen rather to share our struggles with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in our low moment, who can stay with us in an hour of grief, who can tolerate not knowing, not healing and face with us the reality of our vulnerability as a human, that is a friend who cares. I thank God you are here. It’s such a blessing; the ability to share, the ability to allow people to talk about their dreams, passions and joy; and this is what help us, bloggers, to sustain. It has been an added pleasure and an added thrill for me, to watch our friendship blossom; I am confident that the ties which bind us so closely will grow even stronger, and that our unity of purpose will be maintained in the coming year.

May we cast aside-for this sacred holiday season-the cares and dangers which beset us, and make for the children a period of fun and laughter in a world of storm. Let them open their gifts with rapture in their eyes. Share a kiss beneath the mistletoe. Wrap your dears close to your heart. Resolve that by our sacrifice and doing, these same children shall not be robbed of their inheritance, or denied their right, tomorrow, to live in a free and decent world.

I tell you what, this is off the record but do not assume Santa Claus likes his babies goody-good, he loves them naughty. Haha!

Meilleurs voeux de bonheur pour un Joyeux Noël et Heureuse Nouvelle Année 2020! May peace, love, prosperity and success follow you always.

Lots of love,

The Little Mermaid X


                                                   And a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

General

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019

The Little Mermaid

Dearest friends,

Christmas is coming again. Tis the season to be jolly! Isn’t this a wonderful time of the year? So many things fill our hearts with the spirit of Noel: the melody of the traditional carols, the glitzzy lights, the ornate decorations and the loving presence of those we cherish around us.

In the minutiae of our quotidian existence, many hours of the day are consumed with work and duties. But what matters most to us, at the end of the day? The people that are close to us, they matter most. And to most of us, they are our family. A family is not necessarily the same in the present age as it was generations ago. I think, with the expeditious advent of globalisation and new technology, we have reached an advanced stage of social development whereby a recognition has emerged that not all families consist of father, mother and children. There is more variety today, along with more broad-mindedness and tolerance which is a positive thing. I have been with you for only three years-the immeasurable love and the gracious acceptance you have given me has moved me so deeply that you are now a part of my extended family. And I mean it with every fibre of my being.

Ladies and gentlemen, the significancy of the holiday lies in the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose life is an enlivening inspiration to millions of people across the globe. Through his undaunted actions, he bequeathed to us the extraordinary gifts of love, generosity, respect, forgiveness and compassion. So, let us join hands as His children and together we tread the path of righteousness. Speaking of children, kindly allow me to quote Matthew 18: 1-5 NIV Bible,

“1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.

3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Jesus said he desires everyone to come into his kingdom like children. The essential corollary of this is that God wants us, irrespective of our title and status to embrace life’s ups and downs with a childlike enthusiasm-joyfully, expectantly, trustingly, innocently and humbly.

The holiday season is a perfect time for everybody to heed home. Contrary to what we grew up believing, not all homes are made of bricks and cement. For some people, home is the outdoors, this is where they find their place in the world. For others it is just a specific place in their house, their room or on their favorite couch. For a lucky few, home is with someone special, this is where they find their comfort and respite from the world outside. For others, home is in the books, in the company of characters they love. There are some for whom home is in memories, this is where they repeatedly go when they lose their way. Home, by definition, is a place you can call your own, and this can be a piece of music, a sound or a taste even. It is said that home is where the heart is, thus home is where your hopes and dreams fly to when you set them loose. Mostly, home is a feeling, a feeling of belonging, a feeling that when I am here doing things, I can be myself, I have an identity. For me personally, the blogosphere is my home, with every single one of you-it is my place of warmth and familiarity and I cannot imagine ending 2018 without wishing you good tidings. I have a fantastic news for you, my darlings. The Little Mermaid is now a self-hosted site. Wooohooo!!! It is still in the making (80% completed) and I will get down to the nitty-gritty of it in another post when I do the official launching. At the moment, I’m super excited to learn new stuff everyday: SEO, Linux, Adsense among others.

It has been a remarkable year with you, my people. Your words of encouragement and unbounded compliments touch me to the core. I am amazed to see the consideration so many of you give to my posts. It reassures me that some people do appreciate what I write and it makes me feel valued. I hope to be worthy of it. From sharing jokes to put a smile on my face to wiping my tears when I’m down, from pushing me to reach my potential to lending an ear when I feel the need to vent out, a mere thank you is just not enough. Still, I must thank you. Thank you for standing by me. Thank you for being real with me. Thank you for letting me be my humble self. Thank you for simply being the amazing individuals that you are. You all are very special to me and hold your own spot in my heart.

In my closing words, I would like to wish you and your kin a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2019. Forgive quickly. Love abundantly. Laugh often. Do not ever give up on your dreams for there is always a brighter tomorrow. May the Almighty bless you richly. Amen.

Love, hugs and kisses,
The Little Mermaid

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General

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2017!

The Little Mermaid

Warm greetings to my most cherished fellow friends out there! Yeah, I know it’s been a while but quite understandably, we are in the gleeful period of December and as most of you, I’m teeming with things to fix..to polish off..to start..This is my last piece of writing for 2016 and I thought there could be no better way to wind-up the year than to indite a personal post. It’s gonna be fun, isn’t it?

Now enough about me, let’s get back to you. How’s the Yuletide season treating you? What have you guys been upto lately? Please share your thrilling adventures with all of us. Don’t forget! A joy shared is a joy doubled. On my side, the past fortnight was hectic. It’s still comparable to a Piccadilly Circus at my place. Some major renovation works are in progress and to be frank, if I got a dollar for every little donkey work that I’m performing, I’d already be a billionaire. This is the time of the year when it seems like you can’t go anywhere in your house without somebody recognizing you and giving you some household chores to do. Geez! Can you relate, also? Yet, I can’t continue to grouch because December is a special month for oh so many reasons. There’s a unique kind of feel in the atmosphere. December brings with it an ebullient joie de vivre, paralleled by a relaxed conviviality of togetherness among family and friends. Even Mother Nature cannot resist its impish charms; as we marvel at the delightful blossom of the flamboyant trees all around the island. It rains interesting festivals, pleasurable activities, delectable food and whatnot. Speaking candidly, I wish December came twelve times a year!

Besides revelling in the splendour of the jaunty merrymaking, I’ve been doing some introspective cogitation about my life, particularly mulling over my New Year’s resolutions and plans. Okay! I must confess-I don’t always stick to these and I know I’m not alone. Then why bother? Well, New Year’s resolutions are all about hopefulness and it’s been that way since forever. Personally, I make resolutions as a ritual to welcome the upcoming year on a positive note. Experts contend that if you publicly share your resolutions, you are letting others be aware of your goals and once you’ve involved others, you are more likely to take steps to achieve them. A few of my general resolutions include: to travel abroad solo, to earn more, to start a new hobby such as gardening, to sustain my healthy habits and to meet new people. Last but not the least, I pledge to blog more frequently and more consistently. The blogosphere is an amazing world full of wonderful folk and I’m excited to associate with each and every one of you. (This is a bit unrealistic, but nevermind!) And what are your New Year’s resolutions?

Furthermore, I want to seize this fine opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation to you, 3 200 lovely individuals for continually encouraging and inspiring me in my creative endeavours. MERCI! I founded this blog in January and I’ve never looked back. I admit that I do not post very often but the unfailing love and generous support I have constantly received since the beginning is the reason I promise to be more active next year. I’ve come across a lot of incredible humans who enjoy the same passion as I do, who are working relentlessly to make this planet a better place to live in and who are impressive stars in their own right. Here, I’d take a moment to give a shout-out to Aquileana, Doctor Jonathan, Migueltio, Anne and Rich. Dear friends, you must have noticed-I’m neither into uploading ten posts per day and garnering one hundred likes per blog nor amassing thousands of followers. However, I’m very much into developing a meaningful relationship with you through my writing. I want to connect with you on a deeper level because you are worth a lot more than being just a random liker and a mere commentator. I value you as a person. I’m here to listen to you at your lowest, to laugh with you and to lift you up to your highest. This explains why you’ll find short blogs benignly deluged with lengthy comments. Haha! I feel blessed with your virtual friendship and I hope it only grows stronger through the years. I love you all to the moon and back! XOXO

Ho! Ho! Ho! Let me hasten to wish you happy holidays. May Santa Claus lavish you with humility and benevolence in your heart. May God bless you with kindness which will raise your soul and may He give you the courage to add up more shine and spread your brightest smiles to those you treasure. During this glorious season, please allow me to share how Jesus Christ would have His children observe his birth. Would it be marked by unrestrained consumerism and selfish acts of costly gift exchange? No! I quote Luke 14:12-14, “Then said he also to him that bade him, when thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just”. Friends, let us pray for that one outcast orphan from the shantytown, let us pray for that one despondent parent who has lost his only child in a savage bloodshed and let us pray for that one abandoned grandmother left in a home, for Christmas to them, is just another hellish nightmare.

To end this post, I hope that you make the most of the beauty, spirit and magic of this fantastic season. The miles that keep us apart do not stop the love and happiness I send to you and to your family this Christmas. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année 2017! Let us all raise our glasses to celebrate love and peace! Cheers!

Hugs and kisses,
Urvashi-The Little Mermaid