In case you haven’t noticed before, I believe we can find positive life lessons just about anywhere if we are looking for them. With Christmas and other holidays fast approaching, it occurred to me that Santa has some SMART wisdom to offer us if we are paying attention.
Here are eight positive perspectives Santa offers us all:
- Santa challenges us to be our best self all year long. While some might believe that Santa is a bit harsh by asking us to be good all year long, I tend to think he reminds us that making the effort to share kindness, compassion and generosity always leads to a happier life. Plus, karma or reciprocity teaches us that what we give out comes back to us maximized. The more we share the best of ourselves with others, the more likely good is to flow through and into our lives. As Henry David Thoreau said, “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”
- Santa doesn’t care how much you weigh, the color of your skin, where you live, or how much money you have. The story is familiar to most of us. Santa loads up his sled with presents for boys and girls around the world every Christmas Eve. While he does have an opinion about whether we’ve been “bad or good” I’ve never heard of him judging a child by the color of his or her skin, weight, or how much money his family has. I’ve also never seen him avoid children from other cultures or religions. Santa gives to all. In Santa’s eyes, we are all worthy of love and good tidings. Santa knows, just like Ralph Waldo Emerson, that, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
- Santa teaches us to know what we want, and then ask for it! Most of the time Santa seems to insist that we think about what it is we really want. Even better, he also seems to know the real truth behind the asking. Do we? Do we really know what will make us happy? Some people seem to believe that having the latest and greatest gadget or the most sparkling bling are the keys to happiness. But Santa knows that what most of us really, really want is deep connections with others, laughter and fun with friends and family, and purpose and meaning in life. Still, although he seems to know what we really want and need, we must ask for it. As Nancy D. Solomon said, “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.”
- Santa makes his gifts, and never spends money he doesn’t have to buy them. Unfortunately, far too many people in the U.S. go into debt to buy presents for each other every Christmas. Santa never does that. Santa realizes that the most important thing about a gift is the love and feeling behind it, not the price tag. He also knows that the best gifts are those that address the needs and dreams behind the wishing. As Kahlil Gibran said in his book The Prophet, “You give but a little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
- Santa knows how to laugh and makes it a regular part of his day. One of Santa’s greatest gifts is his ability to laugh. I’ll bet that Santa knows that laughter triggers the release of endorphins and helps to promote an ongoing sense of well-being and good will. Plus, his constant “ho, ho, ho!” decreases stress and keeps his body healthy and happy. Surely his job is as stressful as anyone’s but he continues to laugh and be jolly. As Mark Twain said, “[Humanity] has unquestionably one really effective weapon—laughter. Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution—these can lift at a colossal humbug—push it a little—weaken it a little, century by century, but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.”
- Santa surrounds himself with friends who love and support him. Can’t you just see Santa surrounded by Mrs. Claus, elves and reindeer all happily working toward a powerful goal? Santa knows that feeling socially isolated can be as toxic to healthy bodies and brains as smoking. He also knows that collaborating with others helps us take a huge and sometimes insurmountable job, and turn it into something we can accomplish. As Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said, “The power of one, if fearless and focused is formidable, but the power of many working together is better.”
- Santa loves his work and doesn’t do it for the money. Santa is a great example of someone who follows his bliss. Clearly he is not in it for the money. While I’m sure he has challenges in his work as we all do, he stays so focused on the outcome that his joy never diminishes. As Steve Job said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
- Santa stands for hope and possibility. A belief in possibility and hope is universal. Even though we know Santa is not real, he serves to remind us all that hope gives everyone the courage to keep reaching for a good and a brighter tomorrow. As author Martha Beck says, “Whether you’ve seen angels floating around your bedroom or just found a ray of hope at a lonely moment, choosing to believe that something unseen is caring for you can be a life-shifting exercise.” Why not let Santa be that something?
Of course, it is possible that some of you are remembering other things about Santa. Lines from the song, “He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for heaven’s sake!” just might trigger feelings of guilt or shame. How positive is that? Or what about challenging the religious, or not so religious experience of Santa, and what he represents?
Once again Santa provides a SMART lesson. That’s because just about every person we meet and every circumstance we face, can be seen from a variety of perspectives. How we choose to view Santa is no different. SMART Living 365 reminds us that every single day we get to decide what we will focus on and ultimately take from every experience we encounter. We can focus on the less than positive with fear and worry guiding us. Or we can take the high road and see the good. What do you plan to see this December? Remember, it’s all up to you.
Flickr Photo Credit
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I think for me it’s the magic of Santa which resonates with your last point. My partner and her family are Sabbath keeping Christians who do not celebrate Xmas. I have a little boy from a previous relationship and he stayed over this Xmas. I did the whole Xmas thing which she had never experienced before and she got to see the magic and how excited my son got both at night, preparing by leaving a mince pie and carrot and in the morning with the presents as well as seeing the mince pie eaten (burp) and that Rudolph had left bits of the carrot still on the lawn. It warmed my heart when she said she could see the draw to believing and how cute it was to see my little boy so happy and wonderous. There’s not enough magic in the world! 🙂
Thanks for the read.
All Santa’s lessons are important, but I wonder if no. 4 isn’t a little more important than the others, especially at this time of the year. It is not worth getting into debt to buy Christmas presents and then spend the rest of the year suffering to pay if off. Regretfully, that is what many of us do, here in Europe too. Much better to follow Kahlil Gibran’s advice and give your time and attention, rather than expensive gifts. Thanks for this Kathy, great post.
Kathy, thank you for the great perspective on Santa!
In recent years, I’ve admittedly struggled with the materialistic/commercial aspect of this holiday season but, you’re absolutely right, it really does come down to how we choose to see things. As Wayne Dyer said himself, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
Hi Tacey! Glad you appreciated my “different” take on Santa this year. I’m like you and tend to focus on his abuses rather than the goodness in his heart (at least up until now.) And that quote of Wayne’s has always been one of my favorites. Thanks for reminding me! ~Kathy
What a perfect and timely post, Kathy! If Santa can’t teach us about good behavior, acceptance, generosity, laughter, joy and life itself, who can? This is sure to become a seasonal classic!
Hi Roxanne! Yes, we have plenty of less than positive role models in the world (especially if we are watching TV) so Santa is a refreshing in his kindness and simplicity. May we all follow his example. ~Kathy
Santa is so wise. I love him and I still believe in his spirit. His biggest lesson has to do with giving, I think. Lovely way to start my morning, Kathy. SMART Santa!
Hi Carol! Thanks…I’m glad you liked it. Yes to his giving spirit and the joy in which Santa does it. May be all have that kind of holiday no matter which one we celebrate! ~Kathy
This just tickled me, Kathy! It reminded me of the sweet book of long ago, All I Really Need to Know Learned in Kindergarten. Priceless wisdom in both that book and your Santa wisdom!
And so enjoyable. Thank You 🙂
Hi Susan! I consider it quite a compliment to be compared to Robert Fulghum’s work in any way! Thank you! Sometimes I get a little carried away with overthinking things, so taking a lighthearted break is good for me. Glad to hear you found it enjoyable too. Have an AWESOME Christmas! ~Kathy
What a clever post, Kathy! Lots of good lessons from Santa, indeed. Merry Christmas!
Hey Nancy! Thanks! I did think it was a fun perspective on something that lots of us are thinking about this time of year. And what about you? How will you be celebrating? Still working hard these days? I hope you get a break in there and get some hiking done. I think that’s your “happy place” for sure. ~Kathy
This is such a creative and awesome post, Kathy. I love it! And I was delighted to see a Nancy Solomon quote in there (a “Solomonism,” as she calls them!). Nancy is a Seattle-ite and a friend and also the person who helped me gain the courage to quit my IT job and write my memoir (which is currently out on submission to publishers, I might add!).
Hi Laura! Isn’t it a small world these days? Me randomly picking a quote from a friend of yours shows how connected we all are in ways we don’t even know. And likewise I think we all inspire and encourage each other in ways we might never know, but that we just need to keep putting it out there, right? Thanks for sharing that part–and I can’t wait to hear the good news about your book!!! Happy Holidays no matter how you celebrate! ~Kathy
Thank you, Kathy. I hope I’ll have good news to share one day soon!! Either that, or I will be bald (from pulling all my hair out).
The quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my most favorite. I really enjoyed this post. Santa knows what he’s about doesn’t he! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Hi Rena! Yes, isn’t remembering all the goodness inside each of us one of the BEST things we can do for ourselves and the world? I’m a big Ralph Waldo Emerson fan so whenever I get a chance I throw some of his wisdom in my blog posts. And Santa? There is much good there when we take the time to look huh? Thanks for coming by and Merry Christmas to you and your whole family! ~Kathy
I liked all the eight lessons from Santa, thanks for sharing Kathy; you inspired me today and my favourite and the best quote is from Kahlil Gibran on ” Giving” I would like to carry these lessons in my heart for this month to make Christmas meaningful and hopefully to integrate the learnings for the rest of my life..
Hi G Angela! Yes, isn’t that a nice Kahlil Gibran quote. I always have such a good time researching positive quotes to fit my posts and that quote was one I never heard before but fit the idea perfectly. It certainly helps keep the power of giving at the forefront for me as well. May that guide many of us in the coming days. ~Kathy
The best lesson here is that Christmas comes only once a year, not every week as some children seem to believe, with their constant “I want” and “what did you bring me?”
Coming only once a year makes the season and the gifts special.
There is nothing special about a new toy every time Mum goes shopping.
Hi River! You know I agree with you about the excessive consumerism that many people “use Santa” to accomplish. I don’t think that is the kids fault at all. Santa can instead stand for all the good about the holiday–or not. Like so many things, it is really up to us! ~Kathy
I’m not a huge fan of the Santa myth (mainly because it’s associated with so much consumerism) but now you’ve given me a different way to look at the jolly old guy and I completely agree with your eight lessons he can teach us!
Hi Leanne….you know me, I can’t help finding positive life lessons anywhere and everywhere. And you also know I agree with you about the excessive way the Santa experience has been manipulated into massive consumerism. But that’s really not what Santa was ever all about IMHO. If we return to the more simple roots of the story I think there are many good things. I’ll bet if you think about you could come up with even more! ~Kathy
Ho, ho, ho, Kathy! The Santa I know in my adulthood is so much better than the Santa of my youth. Of course, he was always the same. It was I who matured and learned to appreciate what is really important.
My husband and I went to a local mall last night just to wander around and enjoy the lights. Santa was meeting, one-by-one, with a line of kids. I loved how excited they were and how really funny and kind Santa was. He definitely was having as much fun as they kids were. Santa’s the best.
What? Santa’s not real??!!
Oops! Sorry about that Mona! But I do think he is real…remember the letter in the New York Sun to “Virginia” in 1897? My favorite part of it reads, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.” So yes Mona, there is a Santa! ~Kathy
Santa, what a guy, who knew? So many good quotes that you made work in your perspective of the big guy!
Hi Haralee! Ah-ha! Caught me with my addictive way of working quotes into just about any topic. I also realized that several of my last posts had been rather serious, so Santa was the perfect metaphor for something that is in the background of many of our thoughts these days. Thanks for stopping by! ~Kathy
We should all live my Santa rules all year long. I really try to do all of those things. It is always good to reminded. 🙂 Merry Merry to you!
Hi Suzanne! Merry Holidays to you too! And yes to Santa rules! Doing our best to living happy and compassionate lives is something Santa would be very happy with! ~Kathy
We’re never to old to believe in Santa! Wouldn’t it be great if more of us tried to emulate these characteristics? I will try…
Hi Pam! I guess it’s pretty obvious that I still believe in the wonder and magic of Santa. I don’t believe that belief detracts from any other celebration or belief and it sounds like you don’t either. Anything that promotes love, peace, good will and happiness can only benefit right? And as long as we hold the intention AND strive to do our best, we are helping to create even more of it on the planet. Thanks so much for your thoughts. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy:
I love your peaceful, loving post. Santa does indeed have a lot to teach us!
All your posts are thought-provoking and lead me to my higher self.
Rob Paulson, voice actor, says, “Laughter is the best medicine because you can’t OD and the refills are free!” How true. Thanks for the Mark Twain quote!
Best wishes to you this winter holiday and in 2016!
Lynn
Hi Lynn! Thanks for jumping in here and sharing that great quote from Rob Paulson. We can NEVER OD on laughter, NOR love or good feelings right? And thank you for your good wishes for the coming holiday. We will be traveling, and I’m so-o-o excited. Hoping to see and experience some of that laughter, love and good feelings everywhere we go. May your holiday be equally awesome! ~Kathy
I knew I liked that jolly ol’ guy! Thanks for a great take on Santa, Kathy! Wouldn’t it be nice if Christmas became about the heart instead of the wallet??
Kimberly XO
Hi Kimberly! Yes….thank you for pointing out that making Christmas”about the heart instead of the wallet” would make ALL of our holidays more joyful. I’m optimistic that more and more people are waking up and recognizing that. ~Kathy
I love number five – remembering to laugh. Santa is jolly but I know for me I need to laugh more, I get way too serious some times. Great post, good reminder on why Santa is important.
Hi Lisa! Glad you liked it and yes, the laughing (and smiling) is one of the most endearing things about Santa don’t you think? Celebrating his good side is something that brightens us all don’t you think? Thanks for stopping by! ~Kathy