Be anti Scrooge
It is that time of year when some people start to bemoan the fact that the holiday spirit is taking over all aspects of life including stores, radio, and streets lined with festive decorations. Now I agree that it starts way too early in the retail industry. Throwing up decorations during a 90 degree heat wave while people are thinking about what to do on the upcoming Labor Day holiday is ridiculous. But we lose sight that it is the spirit of the holidays that count and should be encouraged and spread whether it is because of the religious aspects or simply the merriment and good cheer that ensues. It is now the end of November and therefore it is time for all the scrooges to get in the spirit. It would be nice if the peace and goodwill type attitudes people have for a few days of the year could last all year long, but that is an unreasonable expectation. That would mean hanging up the cell phone once and a while, practicing courteous driving, and living in harmony with the world around. But much like peace on earth, it aint gonna happen anytime soon. So what can you do you ask? Look in yourself and think about changing typical thinking about when our holiday cheer should begin. Ask yourself how I can stretch it to the maximum amount of time so I can spread goodwill faster than Santa can deliver presents. For some this will be easy. For the scrooges out there, go a little at a time. Maybe this year, start you good cheer two weeks before Christmas instead of one. And then next year do three, and so on until you become a beacon of holiday cheer for others to emulate. For some this may require much more egg nog or spiked hot chocolate than normal but whatever it takes just do it, get in the spirit and start having fun. If you do not heed this advice, Rudolph will do more than run over grandma, he will drop reindeer poop on you as he flies overhead. Jingle bells, jingle bells ….