Disney Leadership Keynote Speaker
Five daily blogs about life's 5 big choices on five interconnected sites.
Merry Midlife Christmas.
“I have no gift to bring, pa-rump-a-ba-bum….”
“….that’s fit to give a King, pa-rump-a-bum-bum….”
While thinking about what to write on a day like today, it’s incredibly humbling, and immensely joyful and glorifying to know that “I got nothin” on a day like today.
“Shall I play for you, pa-rump-a-ba-bum…..”
Mid Life holiday stress can rob us of the joy we could be experiencing, if only we could focus.
But how are we supposed to focus when this time of year is so hectic?
And it occurred to me that this time of year has always been hectic. Ever see “A Miracle on 34th Street“?
It was inspired on Christmas eve, 1944, when Valentine Davies, a screenwriter, went gift shopping for his wife. It was hectic, crazy, and lacked the spirit of Christmas we all know in our hearts, but often fail to make time for.
Valentine set out to create a movie that would help remind everyone that the spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus, is real. Very real.
Considered a “B” movie, it was released during the summer, and never advertised as a Christmas movie.
The American public embraced the movie so much that it ran in theaters straight through the end of the year.
It is one of the all-time great Christmas movies and one that my family and I watch every holiday season, when we can find the time.
November was dedicated to Thankfulness, and now December is dedicated, mostly, to Joy.
There are several types of Joy.
There’s Joy in your Spirit, in knowing you have a Creator that loves you beyond measure.
Joy in daily living, perhaps the “fun factor”, sort of like happiness, and laughter.
And also Joy in being unselfish, in serving others.
Finally, I believe there is Joy in knowing you are living your best life, with a moral integrity that leaves you humbled by what you’ve overcome.
It’s a Joy, to dedicate December to the concept of Joy. You may have a different perspective on Joy. The fact that we are free to express, and think for, ourselves should bring us Joy.
One thing for sure, I’m especially thankful for Mid Life Joy! 🙂
“What’s past is prologue.” – Shakespeare
What’s past is simply what got us to where we are today. I’m thankful for that.
What’s here and now, is what will be past tomorrow. I’m thankful for that too.
What lies in the future is the choice we get to make. Our story is being written one day, one moment at a time.
To be or not to be, I mean, to be thankful or not to be thankful, that is the question.
And starting tomorrow, December’s question is, “Am I joyful and do I spread joy?”
Central Florida volunteers gather at a local High School every Thanksgiving Day morning to pick up and deliver boxes of food to needy Families.
Tomorrow will be our tenth year of this Thanksgiving Day family tradition.
A decade ago, and even before Cheryl was pregnant, I suggested to her that we find a way to show our children that we are here to serve and not to be served.
This is a simple, and seemingly insignificant act of kindness influences our thinking, and our actions, all year long.
A Publix Grocery Store Produce manager started Food For Families many years ago. With help from Central Florida Churches, Schools, and community members, needy Families are identified.
The Central Florida Community also delivers Food for Families on Christmas morning and Easter morning, providing us opportunities to put others first on three special days where we traditionally didn’t.