Think about these things
Humans create drama. Sometimes it’s real. Sometimes it’s manufactured. Often it’s a way to check our pulse, so we know we’re alive. When I start to feel like the “possible side effects” list on a pharmaceutical ad, it helps me to focus on real life and real experiences, instead of online nonsense. At Christmastime or anytime, here are some things that bolster my belief in goodness:
Dads making the air brake sound when they stop short in traffic. Grandmas saying, “How are you going to grow if you don’t eat?” while they put more pumpkin pie on your plate.
Eating more pumpkin pie.
Taking a road trip and watching for the “Welcome to” sign at every state border, so you can declare with double confidence: “We’re in Kansas now.” (Or Arkansas, or Timbuktu.)
Exchanging humorous quips with strangers on an elevator. Savoring those first five soda crackers, when you’re finally over the flu. Men yelling at the television, as though the referees can hear them.
Watching the same movies every year, and still laughing when the “Home Alone” paint can hits Marv in the face. Tearing up when Old Man Marley hugs his granddaughter, then waves at Kevin in the window.
Hearing someone call your name when you walk into a room. Watching your grandparents dance at a wedding reception. Reloading the dishwasher because your spouse messed it up. Returning to find they’ve reloaded your reload.
Waking up to snow, unless you’re the one doing chores. Hearing a long-awaited car pull into the driveway. Eating bacon and pancakes, made by your mom. Drinking hot chocolate with Cool Whip.
Diving in the pool for morning swimming lessons, then slowly turning blue while you practice scissor kicks along the wall. Curating a playlist called “Family Anthems.” Re-explaining to the nurse all the numbers on the vitals monitor. Listening while the nurse re-explains to you—but tenderly—all the numbers on the vitals monitor, because it’s clear you love the person lying in the hospital bed.
Taking your dog for a walk at the lake. Going for a run. Being done with your run. Getting the job you trained for. Liking the people you work with. Earning a nickname you appreciate. Rubbing your back when you’ve worked all day in the yard. Relaxing two chapters into a good book, when you realize the author has a plan and you’re headed somewhere.
Sharing a ridiculous inside joke with your fourth-grade best friend. Realizing your safety scissors would be pretty good for cutting bangs on your best friend. Realizing they’d be pretty good for cutting your own bangs, too.
Learning to face life without your safety scissors.
Walking through leaves. Finding a twenty-dollar bill in your jeans pocket. Spotting a friend in the crowd at a televised volleyball game. Waking up with nowhere to be at a certain time.
Receiving a timely gift. Giving one. Throttling the thief who stole your last puzzle piece, knowing you’d crawl under the table looking for it. Admiring your thousand-piece beauty while the puzzle thief gasps for air.
Enjoying previews and popcorn at the movie theater. Filling up with gas before you need to. Pulling into a parking place and realizing the people beside you parked inside the lines.
Looking at old photo albums. Realizing you have exact change and paying with cash. Examining your penny horde, to be certain a quiet fortune isn’t hiding in your piggy bank. Wearing school colors to a home basketball game. Singing out loud when you’re by yourself. Realizing you can forgive people—tenderly—because you’re a knucklehead too.
When the online world leaves you feeling like the Burgermeister Meisterburger from the old Rankin/Bass special, you can take Kris Kringle’s advice. “Put One Foot in Front of the Other” and change your focus. Look for goodness and bolster it. We can do it. For Kevin.