Forcing Joy into the holidays
- By Emily Kieson
- Published Tuesday 4th 2007
Emily Kieson
Emily currently lives in Austin TX and spends most of her time writing and enjoying the weather. She loves to write stories and screenplays for all ages. When she's not writing, Emily is teaching horseback riding, working as a vet tech, or painting.
No, I don't mean that the holidays are so full of stress and anxiety that one needs to force joy into the season. I'm actually referring to spreading joy in spite of unfortunate events. That's what the Holidays are about, right? We have to always focus on the positive and spread love where there might be a void.
Only a few houses in my neighborhood have decorations out for the season, probably one in every six or so...maybe less. But there was one house, a few blocks away, that went all out. The decorations bordered on obnoxiously tacky with numerous air-filled Santas, snowmen, a car, a multi-colored Christmas tree and every imaginable light that was ever put on sale. It was great. Every time I drove by their house it made me smile and giggle, and, well, generally brightened my day.
I was walking my dog the other day, yesterday in fact, when I saw one of the residents out in the yard. The decorations were not up and I assumed he was putting them up for the evening since it was almost sundown. I walked up to him, introduced myself and remarked that I have been overjoyed with his decorations. He told me that he had put up all the lights and Santas just so people, like me, could enjoy them.
But then he said he had to take them all down. Someone had stolen two of his big blow-up Santas and, rather than risk the others disappearing, he was taking them down.
He didn't get it and neither do I. The whole concept of stealing (especially Christmas decorations!) boggles me. Now, because of one or two individuals, the lights went out down the block. He left the lights on the bushes and house, but the yard that had once housed so many fun Santas is now barren. It goes to show you how one single person or one little event can impact so many people.
But then
again it can go the other way, too. Our neighborhood is not without crime. And it's interesting that people would choose to perpetuate such negativity by continuing the very same activities that have created the reputation that surrounds the area. You would think that people would choose to improve their neighborhoods in which they live and cease such activities.
If one person can affect so many people by taking a few decorations, that same individual could create an even greater influx of positivity by returning the decorations or, perhaps contributing to the wellbeing of the neighborhood in other ways.
We can all do our parts. Life is not singular. We all affect each other every day in small and subtle ways. Every interaction in which we engage affects the lives of others and, based on that encounter, the emotions resonate through every successive encounter.
This is true for all encounters at any time with any emotion. Your anxiety, stress and anger flow through your conversations and encounters just as much as your joy and excitement. Although we have a tendency to hide behind computer screens, we still manage to interact with hundreds of people every day, spreading our emotions and intentions throughout the world in which we live. Try being nice to the cashier or paying a compliment to a coworker. Its sometimes the little things that make such a big difference. And, by changing the mood around you, you've created a more positive environment in which to live.
My neighbor was hurt by the crime of one or two individuals. Although his disappointment ran through to me during our conversation, the lack of Christmas luster undoubtedly affects more than a few of our neighbors. All of this from the actions of one individual.
I think I'll bake my neighbor a pie. Maybe by my one action, I can help resonate a positivity that can restore just a part of the holiday joy that was lost.
Only a few houses in my neighborhood have decorations out for the season, probably one in every six or so...maybe less. But there was one house, a few blocks away, that went all out. The decorations bordered on obnoxiously tacky with numerous air-filled Santas, snowmen, a car, a multi-colored Christmas tree and every imaginable light that was ever put on sale. It was great. Every time I drove by their house it made me smile and giggle, and, well, generally brightened my day.
I was walking my dog the other day, yesterday in fact, when I saw one of the residents out in the yard. The decorations were not up and I assumed he was putting them up for the evening since it was almost sundown. I walked up to him, introduced myself and remarked that I have been overjoyed with his decorations. He told me that he had put up all the lights and Santas just so people, like me, could enjoy them.
But then he said he had to take them all down. Someone had stolen two of his big blow-up Santas and, rather than risk the others disappearing, he was taking them down.
He didn't get it and neither do I. The whole concept of stealing (especially Christmas decorations!) boggles me. Now, because of one or two individuals, the lights went out down the block. He left the lights on the bushes and house, but the yard that had once housed so many fun Santas is now barren. It goes to show you how one single person or one little event can impact so many people.
But then
If one person can affect so many people by taking a few decorations, that same individual could create an even greater influx of positivity by returning the decorations or, perhaps contributing to the wellbeing of the neighborhood in other ways.
We can all do our parts. Life is not singular. We all affect each other every day in small and subtle ways. Every interaction in which we engage affects the lives of others and, based on that encounter, the emotions resonate through every successive encounter.
This is true for all encounters at any time with any emotion. Your anxiety, stress and anger flow through your conversations and encounters just as much as your joy and excitement. Although we have a tendency to hide behind computer screens, we still manage to interact with hundreds of people every day, spreading our emotions and intentions throughout the world in which we live. Try being nice to the cashier or paying a compliment to a coworker. Its sometimes the little things that make such a big difference. And, by changing the mood around you, you've created a more positive environment in which to live.
My neighbor was hurt by the crime of one or two individuals. Although his disappointment ran through to me during our conversation, the lack of Christmas luster undoubtedly affects more than a few of our neighbors. All of this from the actions of one individual.
I think I'll bake my neighbor a pie. Maybe by my one action, I can help resonate a positivity that can restore just a part of the holiday joy that was lost.
