HOW will you spend Christmas? Recently I heard somebody say he’ll volunteer for a charity because, he said, that’ll give him something to do. He’ll probably have a great time, too. He’ll be with other people, he’ll feel he has helped them enjoy themselves and there might be carols. Bound to be, surely.

We’re not compelled to watch television all day long. It’s not compulsory. Hours pass, a kind of lethargy takes hold and, later, we just might feel a tad stir-crazy. Let me out of here! It’s not really that bad, of course. Not quite that bad. (Must make sure none of my family reads this.)

The effect of lots of delicious food and undemanding television programmes is soporific like Beatrix Potter’s rabbits after feasting on lettuce but, unlike them, I’m in no danger. 

I count myself lucky. My family has had more than its share of trauma but we’ve come thorough. Well, most of us have. Those who remain can rejoice in being with those we love. Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Yemen, in Myanmar, in Sudan, Syria, the Middle East and Ukraine conflict continues. Lives continue to be destroyed and hearts broken.

At the weekend, gunmen fired at people on Bondi Beach in a terrifying, antisemitic onslaught, killing and maiming in targeted fashion. 

We may not understand how it’s possible for some to feel entitled to carry out such obscenities but we have to try. We have to believe that human beings can be better. We have to: otherwise there’s no hope for us. 

Today, a friend who has dementia told me that the meaning of life is to be satisfied with what we have and to be able to enjoy it. She added that not everybody can do that. That’s for sure.