The Runaway Train

Christmas always seems to arrive like a runaway train, and this year is no exception – fast, noisy, and impossible to ignore. Each year I find myself juggling spinning plates, trying to keep them all balanced, and each year I’m reminded that sometimes it’s better to temporarily place one aside, than to drop the whole lot.

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for all of us. We’ve lived through challenges none of us could have predicted, and yet here we are – still finding joy in small things, still leaning on each other, and still laughing when we can. If nothing else, these times have taught us resilience and the importance of staying connected.

For me, my photography has been a way to pause the chaos and focus on something beautiful. Art reminds us that even in uncertain times, there’s space for imagination. My creativity is not just a hobby: it’s a lifeline – a reminder that we can shape meaning out of disorder.

Dreams Belong to the Dreamer

For years I carried in my mind the picture of a perfect life – a cottage with a white picket fence and a squeaky gate, a symbol of stability and belonging. I wanted it for myself, and I wanted it for those around me. But I’ve come to realise that was my dream, not theirs.

Just as we can’t keep spinning other people’s plates for them, we can’t carry their dreams either. Each person must find their own rhythm, their own balance, and their own vision of what matters. Dreams aren’t heirlooms to be passed down – they have to be discovered, shaped, and owned by the dreamer themselves.

The beauty of life is that it isn’t a fixed road mapped out for us by decisions we made years ago. We are still making decisions every day, still choosing directions, and still free to evolve our dreams. Our responsibility isn’t to hand our children a dream, or to bind them to our own, but rather to offer the space, support, and inspiration for them to imagine possibilities that are truly theirs.

Sometimes the hardest part of dreaming is recognising which dreams are truly ours. We live in a world full of expectations – about success, stability, even happiness – and it’s easy to mistake those for personal vision. Choosing our own dreams means questioning what’s been handed to us, and having the courage to let go of ideas that no longer fit. A dream isn’t a duty; it’s a discovery

Christmas is often painted as a season of nostalgia, but it is also a season of renewal. The truth is, it’s never too late to chase our dreams. Whether it’s picking up a long‑forgotten passion, daring to change direction in work, or simply carving out time for creativity, the opportunity to follow a new path is always there. Dreams don’t expire with age or circumstance; they evolve. And sometimes, the very challenges we face sharpen the clarity of what we truly want.

When we talk about chasing dreams, we need to remember that sometimes the dream itself is enough. Holding onto a vision, even if it never comes to pass, can give us hope, direction, and joy. Dreams don’t always need to be realised to matter – sometimes they simply remind us of who we are and what we value.

Tolerance and Understanding

Christmas also reminds us that life is full of hardships – some we face ourselves, others we witness in people whose journeys are very different from our own. Whatever our beliefs, the message is clear: we are called to show tolerance and compassion, not only for the difficulties we understand, but perhaps even more, for those we don’t. Cultures, traditions, and experiences that feel unfamiliar to us are often the ones that have the most to teach.

It’s not only about race, gender or culture, but also about disability and vulnerability. Think of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol – frail, yet full of hope. His story reminds us that kindness and understanding can change lives, and that the true spirit of Christmas is found in how we treat those who need support the most.

Of course, there are many whose challenges aren’t marked by crutches or wheelchairs, and whose pain is carried quietly. True compassion means recognising that we don’t always know what someone is going through. The spirit of Christmas calls us to extend grace, not just to those whose issues we understand, but to those who struggle silently – invisibly.

Keeping the Spark Alive

One of the greatest gifts of Christmas is the reminder to see the world through child‑like eyes. The lights, the music, the anticipation – they all invite us to rediscover wonder. As children, we don’t question whether magic is real; we simply believe. As adults, we sometimes lose that spark under the weight of responsibility, but it never truly disappears.

Keeping the child‑like spark alive means allowing ourselves to be surprised, to laugh at small things, to marvel at beauty, and to dream without cynicism. It’s about remembering that joy doesn’t have to be earned – it can be found in the simplest of moments: a frosty morning, a candle flickering, or the sound of laughter around the table.

My Christmas Wish

So here’s my Christmas wish: that we all keep talking, keep creating, and keep dreaming. May 2026 bring strength, laughter, tolerance, and the courage to chase the dreams we thought were passing us by. And when the runaway train feels overwhelming, take a breath, take a look around, and occasionally…. pull the damn cord.