Whether you celebrate Christmas, or Hanukkah or any other religion or even Festivus for the rest of us – The Sentinel family wishes you and yours a time of peace and togetherness.
Regardless of your traditions and beliefs, there tends to be one thing in common for all of them.
This time of year it seems more likely that we’re all spending more time with our family and friends – those we love. We’re setting life aside if only momentarily to enjoy togetherness and reflect on the year thats gone past.
When you are part of an industry that tends to work when others don’t. A team that sees these nights and days of celebration as the prime days to work – and observe and keep safe those that are celebrating. You learn a few things.
You learn that there are some things that REALLY matter, and some things are just a part of a process in which most have grown accustomed.
Growing up in a house hold where my father was with the police force, then marrying a policeman, and working in the security industry – you are rather forced to learn that December 25 for example, is a day. Its December 25. Sure the calendar says that its Christmas – and indeed it has significant meaning for some, but this year, its a Wednesday. And it can be just like any other Wednesday if you have to work.
Christmas can be celebrated any day if you choose. It can be Tuesday or Sunday. There are more important things than the ‘rules’ the calendar dictates.
The important part of Christmas isn’t Santa or gifts (although if you ask kids, thats basically the whole point). But the point of Christmas is to step away from life and embrace family and togetherness. Its putting down the phone or the laptop and seeing beyond the screen.
Its getting to know your family and those you love that little bit more – even if sometimes they can drive you crazy.
While this theory may take a back seat when kids are old enough to understand more and expect ‘Santa’ on a certain date and time, by them growing up in an industry where sometimes Mommy or Daddy has to work, they themselves could be even learning the real value of the season. By understanding that sometimes Santa got held up by this years massive influx of children and toy deliveries – or maybe his sleigh broke down but he sent a message ahead by courier elf with instructions that he’d be there later in the day, or to prepare to wake up the next day amazed and full of wonder as due to reindeer and elf traffic, he’s running a day behind schedule.
It may take a bit of time for children to catch on to the true meaning of the holidays, but by realizing that you can make your own traditions, or celebrate on your own terms and at your own time and pace, you’re not ‘missing Christmas’ at all. You’re fully embracing it and spreading out the joy just that little bit longer. You’re doing the holidays in slow motion, giving you more to enjoy.
So however you celebrate and whenever you celebrate – we wish you a happy, healthy and safe time of togetherness.
If you’re working on Wednesday – Have a great day at work – and embrace those working as a part of your team that day as while we all understand that we can celebrate at a different time, it doesn’t make it all that much easier for everyone working who sometimes still struggle with missing time with family.
So embrace your family – including the one you work with.
And if you’re out and about over the holidays, acknowledge those that may be celebrating their Christmas on a different day this year, or may not celebrate at all, but are ensuring those that do celebrate can have their day if possible.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent.