I’m an “Editor’s Christmas Message” virgin and I feel a great deal of pressure to perform well so afterwards you all feel satisfied and maybe even a bit tingly — I wonder if there is a pill for that… probably something I can pick up on the internet at a discount price!

I didn’t want it to sound like some corny Xmas card your mum sends, be too preachy, or too formal like THE Queen’s Christmas message — although I was keen to use the words “annus horribilis” somewhere. I wanted to include everyone, because we don’t all celebrate Christmas — but the end of the year does have meaning for us all, I think.

I started musing over what it is that the end of the year (and Christmas) really means. Is it just a big gift-fest, an over-indulgence in consumerism, or something more — like a time to reflect, an opportunity to understand and seek happiness. Then Ebenezer Scrooge popped up on the TV (another remake of this tired old classic), the essence of an unhappy man with “everything” — a bit like many of us in the western world.

Most of us think, if we are honest enough to admit it, that happiness comes through getting stuff — a partner, new car, TV, better job, money. But Ebenezer Scrooge was unhappy not because of a failure to get, but to give. It’s a poignant lesson and this, I think, is probably the most important message of not just Christmas but of life.

This truth is often right there in front of us. Recently we bought a new flashy TV to replace the old cathode ray tube we’d had for more than a decade.
I felt so much happiness when I finally got it home — Alex loves his TV stories! But like all things, the feeling quickly left me and before long it was just the TV again (truth be told, I’ve been so busy with work I’ve barely had time to watch it). It’s the same at Christmas, you see all the kids excited to get their presents but by late afternoon they’re playing with the boxes instead, making cubby houses and little forts. Receiving only brings fleeting joy.

Christmas is a good time of the year to remind ourselves of the truth. The most important path to happiness is that of giving. Not just gifts wrapped in fancy paper but those of love, kindness, charity and forgiveness — you just can’t put a price on them — they will be your greatest gifts, ones that can last a lifetime.

So enjoy all those wonderful things the end of the year brings: time with friends and family, a break from work, and way too much food and drink.
Oh and remember to enjoy your gifts knowing their true worth is actually from the giving and the love that comes with them.

Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to let my partner Christopher know that if it was not for all his love and constant support this magazine would probably not even exist. And it’s not the TV that will fill me with joy this Xmas, but the guy that’s sitting next to me watching it.

Wishing everyone, of every colour, creed, religion and sexual identity all
the joy and happiness life can bring.

Enjoy FUSE08, enjoy your holidays.

FUSE READERS LETTERS

Hey FUSE
Hey guys pretty nice mag. Looking at the sports article, I know there are a lot of gay sports teams out and about in Canberra. Can we have say a section reporting on what sports etc are around, maybe teams needing players. Maybe we can get some good sporting shots too.
John

Sounds like a good idea John. We are on it buddy!

Hi FUSE
Love the new issue FUSE! The Glee interview especially impressed me! FUSE magazine is just going from strength to strength I think — can’t wait for more!
Dave

Hi Guys
Just wanted to say a big, congrats on FUSE magazine. You should be really proud of yourselves. The magazine is a big hit! It’s about time someone in Canberra invested time and energy into a high quality gay publication for the local community.
Sam

Hi FUSE
I just read FUSE for the first time — what a great mag!  Was very pleased to find out about the upcoming Bentfest at the Arc Cinema, can’t wait. Madeline

Dear FUSE
Just thought I would send you a quick email and say how much I enjoy FUSE Magazine.
Cheers Matt!

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