Today has been a bit of a struggle—my body, mind, and soul are a little wounded from yesterday's fairly heavy day of drinking. However, as much as a hangover hurts, on occasion, I think it's worth it. We had a wonderful day with some of our closest friends and their families. We spent the morning just the 4 of us, opening presents and enjoying each other's company. After that, we headed to the city for a set lunch and ended the day back at our house.

Throughout the day, I witnessed a diverse range of people, families, and communities coming together to celebrate. The joy and happiness I saw, heard, and felt were truly wonderful.

Despite the temporary physical and mental discomfort caused by heavy drinking, the celebration of Christmas with loved ones and the sense of community that comes with it can significantly contribute to our search for happiness.

Coming together, sharing gifts with our loved ones, and enjoying each other's company helps create a sense of belonging and connection, which are all key elements in finding happiness. Witnessing the joy and happiness displayed yesterday from various families was very uplifting and really emphasized just how wonderful of an occasion Christmas is. It reminded me of the importance of cherishing these special moments and treasuring the time spent with those we love. In these moments in time, when we truly embrace the experience we can find immense purpose, fulfilment, and happiness.

Thanks,

Dean