Merry Christmas! I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful and safe Christmas season.
For some, the hustle and bustle of this time of the year can be overwhelming or simply a sad reminder of lost loved ones.
It would be great if the media and politicians and warring factions around the world would just take a break from dishing out their contagious vitriol. It would be great if for one month we could just bask and enjoy uplifting conversation across the world and celebrate our differences in unified solemnity.
We may not be able to achieve the above as a global society, BUT we can achieve a slice of the above in our local communities by simply choosing to do one thing each and every day this holiday season:
Make someone smile.
Three words…a simple challenge…batteries not required.
- Give someone a break and cook them breakfast.
- Get out in the cold and start their car for them so it is nice and warm when they get in.
- Open the door for folks in need or to honor the golden days of chivalry.
- Give someone a compliment – their outfit looks sharp, they seem taller, they brighten up your day.
- Pay someone’s grocery bill or restaurant tab.
- Ask someone how their day is going and LISTEN to them.
- Call someone who may not get called a lot these days.
- Share a funny (and clean) joke.
- Give someone a hug (with their consent if not an immediate family member).
- Look up when you are walking and smile at folks as you say “Good Morning” or “Hi”.
- Sit down and play a game or do a puzzle with the family.
- Go grab some hot chocolate and drive around and look at Christmas lights for a study break.
You never know when a smile will turn into a long-lasting memory, but I guarantee you that engaging a screen for hours will not make it to your Top Ten Favorite Memories list when you are 20 or 30 or 50 or 70. Memories are made in real life.
Make someone smile.
It is not hard and it feels good…what more could you ask for?!