The Face Of The Season

The Face Of The Season

The Face Of The Season

If You See Someone Without A Smile, Give Them One

by Michael D. Hume, M.S.

It's Christmas every day of the year at our house. My singing friends know this, because they've been to countless rehearsals at our house, and they've seen the decorations we've left up all year long, for years on end. But it isn't just the decorations. Truth to tell, we left those up out of laziness (mine)... but decided they were also a good reminder to keep the spirit of the holidays inside us all year long.

I am lucky enough to get to spend many hours this Christmas season singing with the world's finest caroling group, The Original Dickens Carolers of Colorado. This week, I was singing for a small group of people when I was reminded of a year-round Christmas practice adopted by my fabulous wife: Get People To Smile. She takes it as a personal challenge when she meets someone with a sour disposition - she is determined to get a smile out of everyone she meets, every day. Talk about inspirational leadership!

This is not typical attorney behavior, perhaps, but she's yet to be disbarred for it.

I think a major reason our clients hire our caroling group is just that... we get them to smile. We are, of course, cleverly entertaining and wittily amusing. But we also consider it our personal responsibility to bring the real spirit of the season to everyone we meet. And that tends to make people smile.

Whatever you're doing this holiday season, don't be a grinch. You might own your own business, and you might be stressed trying to make your year-end numbers. So what? Make it your mission to get people to smile, and watch what happens to business! You might see people working on their health and vitality at the gym (okay, this might happen more after New Year's Resolutions kick in), and it's quite possible you'll see some grumpy-looking faces on the treadmills and ellipticals. Flash those folks a big smile! Not only will you feel better, you might get them to smile back... and that'll make them a tiny bit healthier. You might be doing anything at all: hopping onto the bus, walking through a store, rinsing out your mug in the company break room. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, take on the mission described by the old saying: if you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.

The world is gloomy enough these days. From the wars and strife to the train wreck that is the global economy, we all have plenty of excuses to be grumpy. But let's rise above all that. Ask yourself whether you've smiled at enough people today. Really. And if you're a little behind, well, no time like the present to start catching up.

I'm smiling as I write this. It's making me feel more joyful. And isn't that what Christmas should be about?

I hope you smiled as you read this!

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