It seems everyone likes a holiday classic this time of year, so here's one from a blog I wrote a few years ago.
We recently moved back to Arizona after spending
nearly a year in Port Angeles, WA. On the trip back we snuck in front of a snow
storm and skated through Los Angeles before a small earth quake hit. I always
say a few extra prayers whenever I travel. I also concentrate on positive
thoughts as much as possible and try to envision a protective shield of white
light around the vehicle we are driving.
Sometimes it can be challenging to focus on positive
events, especially when on the road. When folks are enclosed in the anonymity
of their own cars and trucks, it seems it is easier to leave their brain and
courtesy on their doorstep.
While it may SEEM true that crazy drivers outnumber
their safe and courteous counterparts, it is merely an illusion. The problem is
we are geared to dwell on the negative and ignore the happy and uneventful. We
curse the driver who cuts us off, but quickly forget the kind folks who wave us
into their lane ahead of them or slow down or change lanes to allow us to merge
onto the freeway.
Years ago I remember a coworker, Don Powell, gave me
his insights into merging safely on the road. He said when he was barreling
down the street, if a driver turned on their turn signal and made eye contact
in a tacit request to enter his lane, he always waved them on. If they tried to
force their way in, he was not as kind.
I have found the same thing is true in life. When we
show courtesy and kindness, we increase the chances someone will do the same
for us and others. I like to do this in the grocery store. If I’m standing in
line and I see someone with only a couple of items, I always allow them to go
ahead of me. I do the same thing when someone has a cranky baby or toddler. That
is a courtesy to everyone within sight, hearing or scent of the unhappy tot.
Recently we attended a pre-holiday Christmas event.
CB’s family does a white elephant Christmas exchange. While one or two items
are decent gifts, most are silly things such as a screaming monkey, a whoopee
cushion or a beat-up hat that comes back year after year with added decorations
that depict the former owner’s interests or vocation.
CB’s sister, Lisa, hosts this annual event. Most of
the siblings are grandparents now. This year I asked if I could bring my two
granddaughters, Rosannah (Zanna) age 5 and Briannah (Bree) age 3. They would be
joining our great nieces and nephews that include: Xander, age 1, Hunter, 3,
Meeka, 6, Zeke, 7, Annabelle, 9 and Kylie, 10.
Both Zanna and Bree remembered Hunter from an
earlier gathering (he’s the little boy who not only OWNS a lot of toy cars, he
SHARES them as well.) However, Meeka, who lives out of town, seemed a little
nervous by this gathering of noisy relatives. I whispered to Zanna to try to
make friends with her step cousin.
My affable granddaughter quickly complied with my
request. Meeka seemed a bit apprehensive at first, but then told Rosannah and
Briannah they could sit next to her if they wanted to do so. Before you know it
they were fast friends.
We can learn a lot about this little interaction.
Folks may seem unkind, but really they might be too shy or nervous to make the
first overture toward a friendly encounter. While it is always a possibility
that a kind gesture could be scorned, more often than not, it will be met with
relief and gratitude.
The holiday season is a perfect time to initiate
kindness. Also, I hope you can take a moment to sing some of your favorite
Christmas carols. I like this one because even if you forget the lyrics, you
can belt out the two sounds “fa” and “la” and sing with the best of them. To
make things easier, here are the lyrics to the old Welch tune, Deck the Halls.
Deck
the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
I haven't promoted my book Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within for a while, but I know this can be a challenging time for folks. If you know someone who could use some advice on erasing negativity, please contact me at comicsall@gmail.com. I ordered a few extra copies of my book and will be selling them for $10 each plus shipping. Happy holidays.
