Party Fatigue

"Pasko na naman, O kay tulin ng araw.

Pasko'ng nagdaan, tila ba kung kailan lang..."

Nobody can seem to stop Christmas, and just as much as we anticipate with gladness the light feeling that the carols bring to our hearts in this season of frenzy, we find ourselves struggling with our body's batteries as we hop from one activity to the other.

Each December, my weekend calendar is packed with parties. Most of them a "must-go". Not just for work, but for family and friends who for most of the year have been set aside 'til the holidays.

And yes, we MUST see them. As each weekend draws, we note that our already tried energies within the week sometimes need to be jump-started to keep us going, and smiles not sighs are plastered on our faces. 

Since the onset of December I have had already three major parties and two side bites that had me driving home before the wink of day. And there are more events lined up ahead. My friends have asked me how I survive. Which got me thinking really, how indeed will I survive?

My first party was our annual Media Party. And it was fun. Well, at least for me, if not for all those who were there. And I guess, even if the games may have seemed similar to a previous game, and prizes not ostentatious, the people who were there decided to have fun. And that for me is the first step in overcoming party fatigue. Decide to have fun and do it!

My next party was during the birthday of our Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Eric Mendoza, and though he said he just invited a few close friends, his guests were from all levels, some people I already knew, and the others were new found treasures, who I may have already had in my sphere but who I may not have mingled with to know them enough. So equipped with the decision to have fun, I joined the rest of the group, who I knew were also like me, feeling our way through each other, hoping to find new friends who could be real friends in the long ran and indeed I got a heart full of markers that took note of the many beautiful people in Cebu who in their "hair down" moment were just like any of us, people who wanted to laugh and enjoy. My resolve to shelve my innate shyness, and to mingle earned me several new friends and had me partying 'til the quiet of the night.

Yesterday, we had a short thanksgiving celebration in our company. Deciding to keep things simple in keeping with the times, we started our Christmas celebration with a mass and a few games and prizes before a shared lunch. Now tooled with the decision to enjoy and mingle, I found myself facilitating the games that brought in all the jollity as people joined and participated with gusto. No one was forced, though there was initial cajoling, all those who chose to take part, gave the games and competitions the best they could all in the spirit of team work. This crowned our thanksgiving gathering with the spirit one-ness and brotherhood that kept our spirits high throughout the day. Participation, whether as a player or as a facilitator, was the party-upper I gained from this event.

In the small Christmas coffee dates and lunch bites with people I have come in contact with, I have noted that I could no longer place any work labels on them. For even if our relationships started with business, the pleasure of each other's company ended with deeper friendships. We shared stories about our lives, and about God. Noting how most of the time, we relate Christmas with gifts and things, when what it affords us really - or compels us even - is the time to take time to keep in touch, to catch up, and be grateful for God who has provided us with his presence through friends, family, workmates and new acquaintances/

My antidotes to party fatigue may just be a few, and I know you have your own ways to get you by this season, but all I can say in sum is make the most out of each moment for that is what this pause in the year is for and be delighted, Jesus afforded it for us.