"Santa"

Hey, what would Christmas be without SANTA? 

Oh, I know there are some that try that. But, go with me on this - the pure JOY that comes from a child seeing Santa and thinking they may have even heard Santa as he came to deliver gifts during the night is simply magical!

I think back - with fond memories - of all of the different things that my wife and I used to do to give our boys that "special magical" feeling on Christmas Eve after they had gone to bed. 

There is even the report of one young child that had Santa as a part of one of his final wishes. You can read about it HERE.

Generally speaking, Santa is a symbol of joy, peace and love extended to all children - EVERYWHERE - regardless of race or location in the world.

I have always said that I believe in Santa. Yes, even as an adult. How? Why? Because I AM Santa! You know what I mean, right? I have always been Santa to my own children and I have also been Santa to others over the years. 

When I think and hear the word, "Santa", I can't help but think of the scene in "Elf" when Buddy declares that he KNOWS him! Yeah, here's an image from that moment...

Like some of the other words we have been discussing lately, the only "problem" is that Santa is "confined" to just a certain time of the year. Wow, wouldn't you agree that, often, we could use the magic of Santa all year long?

I'm sure you've figured it out by now. That's right, I'm going to encourage YOU to "be Santa" but to do it all year long!

I simply want to encourage you to be a person that spreads joy, peace and hope to those around you anywhere and everywhere you go. No, you don't have to dress up in a red and white suit. No, you don't have to grow out a white beard and, no, you don't even have to be a male....or an adult!

We ALL have that unique ability to bring some "special magic" to our world, the world around us. 

Here's the real kicker: We don't have to actually visit everyone in the whole world in order for our influence and "reach" to extend far greater (and into more of the world) than we could ever imagine. It's called "the ripple effect" or, you may want to look at it as the "pay it forward" mentality.

Don't allow the negativity around you to turn you into a Scrooge. Allow all of the positive information that you have added to your "mental library" to overcome that negativity and share what, indeed, the world needs now, more than ever - HOPE!

It can come in the form of encouragement to your children as well as your co-workers. A pat on the back, a positive word, a "vote of confidence" shown in your words and actions.

You, my friend, are a unique gift in and of itself. There is no other like you. Share "you" to those around you and make the world a better place.

Hey, the rewards will be far better than a plate of cookies and a glass of milk...you can count on that!

Until next time, Merry Christmas! And, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike
Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

"Rudolph"

Believe it or not, of all of the Christmas shows that come on during this time of the year, the "claymation" television production of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is one that, still, to this day, is one of my all-time favorites. That's right! If at all possible, I will still stop and try to watch the  whole thing.

Just in case you are someone that (because of where you live) may not be aware of the "story" of Rudolph, let me share the lyrics to the famous song:

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,
you know Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows All of the other reindeer Used to laugh and call him names

 They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,
Santa came to say,
Rudolph with your nose so bright,
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight

Then how all the reindeer loved him,
As they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nose Reindeer
You'll go down in history

Rudolph, with his bright, red nose was able to light the way for Santa's sleigh and save Christmas! Horray! for Rudolph!

Now, really, does it take any guessing at all to already have figured out what the thought is going to be for today's blog article and podcast topic? (By the way, be sure to listen to the podcast by clicking one of the access links at the end of this article). 

Regardless of who you are or what your limitations may be - real or imagined - BE LIKE RUDOLPH! Step up, be the leader and LEAD those around you! Be the "beacon of light" and hope for those around you that may have given up hope.

No matter what others may say (or think) about you and/or your abilities - YOU step up and DO what you were made to do! The "snowman" that we talked about in the last article would likely melt under the pressure of such a situation but, not you! Not the "Rudolph" that is deep within!

Here's the real kicker: The last line of the song declares that Rudolph will "go down in history". The thing is, folks, YOU will go down in history one way or the other. You ARE "making" history every day that you live. It's the history of your life and it is being "recorded" each and every day that you live. What will YOUR history say about your life after you are gone?

You make your life count by making your days count, starting TODAY!

Your potential is unlimited. Your "circle of influence" is unlimited and goes way beyond your ability to comprehend it's reach. 

That's right. YOU.

Go get 'em, Rudolph!

And, until next time, always be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike
Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed