Articles

How to keep Christmas well in your heart throughout the year

by Lance Sumner CEO, Buyall Enterprises Inc.

by Dr. Jeffrey Lant

"and it was always said of Ebenezer Scrooge, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!"


The words, of course, are from Charles Dickens' masterful "A Christmas Carol" published in 1843, a present the world gratefully rediscovers each and every year. They remind us that Christmas, to be Christmas, must be about magic and memories, remembering both those who are with us and (especially) those who are not.. Christmas this year, as every year, began for me by unpacking my little electrified tree. It is battered now and bears its many bruises proudly if carefully.


All at once, I give way to memories insistent, vivid, one tumbling over another. The box opens and recollections of one year of my life after another pour out. First, I remember the day my grandmother gave me this marvelous present and how she solemnly told me to take good care of it, as she had done.

I agreed to do so, little knowing the significance or the power of what I promised. Now I know, for this year I am older than she was when she gave it to me... and I now ponder who, in due course, I must present this tree to and who will keep the faith of generations with me. You see, I have arrived at the stage of life when Christmas is far more about who I shall give to... rather than who will give to me.


It cheers

My little tree (circa 1935), just 16 inches tall, literally bubbles with colorful cheer. It is called a bubbler because its bulbs not only light up and glow... but one after another they bubble, except (some days) the one at the very top which, eccentrically,often fails to bubble at all. Moreover, when one bulb goes out.... they all go out which means a patient review of all. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. Age means appreciating even flaws, for they, too, are a part of the whole.


Because I am an historian and like many such have a tendency to collect and keep for a lifetime, I have been designated by my extended family as the "keeper", the one it is safe to leave with the mementoes we all agree are important, but which no one but me wants to take care of. Once the bubbler tree is set up, other boxes must be opened... and they can only be opened when there is sufficient time to pause, remember, reflect, and again and again be seized by their heart-tugging memories. One cannot rush this process for the memories will not be denied. They are forever bittersweet... featuring as they do those loved and gone before. Yes, one must have sufficient time for them for the memories that cascade at this time of the year are always vivid, poignant, rich... with new meanings that come as I age.


I smile, for instance, at a styrofoam bell given to me (as to all class members) by Mrs. Eigenbraugh, my third grade teacher. This ornament, a liberty bell, features my teacher in a stately formal pose. She looks at me as the dedicated prairie teacher she was. The autograph reads simply "Mrs. Eigenbraugh, 1955."


I am older now than Mrs. Eigenbraugh was then... and I clearly see her at her desk dutifully, carefully signing each gift in her copperplate hand. She no doubt paid for these herself... and gave them as a small memento of her and the season... little thinking that I, a half century later, should be so moved at her gift... or her conscientious generosity. Do teachers give as much today?


Just one left

I was born in 1947 to young parents who had, in those post war years, few dollars and sky-high aspirations, with days and energy to spare. Like everyone else in the neighborhood they had a young child, part of that baby boomer wave. For him, they bought a box of colored glass ornaments which I broke one by one by getting in my petal powered red car, pushing it backwards across the living room... then running car into Christmas tree... full speed ahead. No one seemed to mind. We were young, and we all had time and youth to spend without care.


Now I hold that glass ball in my hand, of faded purple hue. It, along with my father and I, are the survivors of this tale. And now this glass ornament, once so little valued that we all laughed every time I, with my running feet and determined glint, scored a direct hit... now this glass, I say, is precious and deeply valued as a memento of youth, both my parents and my own, and of the beautiful dark-haired woman whose carefree laughter and love are as clear in this ornament as if it were a crystal ball. She told me to take good care of this for there could never be another... I have and I will. And in time I shall ask of another what she asked of me: to remember.... and to take good care. For I am entitled to that as well., having well and truly kept the promise.


Remember and reconnect

Each year about this time, I set out to reconnect with someone from my past with whom I have lost touch, the way one does. Sometimes I succeed in this task; sometimes I don't. When I do... I make a point of writing them a memorable letter... about how important they are to me... and how well and what I remember. Such letters in a lifetime are rare to write and rarer still to receive. I am pleased to say they always stimulate a similar letter in response. That letter is always amongst my best Christmas presents. As such I place it carefully among my other treasured gifts and mementos and savor them as, each year, I take them out and let memory hold sway. Thus, with the help of my dearly beloved, I keep Christmas in my heart all year long, like the better, reformed, wiser Ebenezer Scrooge.


And so I say to you: God bless us everyone and every loving memory of yore. They make us what we are and remind us, lovingly, of where we have been and the people who have helped us along the way in so very many ways.


Merry Christmas!


About The Author

Harvard-educated Dr. Jeffrey Lant is CEO of Worldprofit, Inc., where small and home-based businesses learn how to profit online. Attend Dr. Lant's live webcast TODAY and receive 50,000 free guaranteed visitors to the website of your choice! Fr. Lant is a well known speaker, consultant and author of 18 best-selling business books. Republished with author's permission by Lance Sumner http://Profit2Riches.com. Check out Push Button Money ->http://www.Profit2Riches.com/?rd=en7ImMGL


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About Lance Sumner Committed     CEO, Buyall Enterprises Inc.

421 connections, 4 recommendations, 1,138 honor points.
Joined APSense since, May 24th, 2010, From Springfield, United States.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

Comments

Edna Harris Freshman   Human Services Consultant
Give a gift that last all year long , like a car or a coat.
Dec 7th 2010 09:50   
Tony Dy Senior   networker
Sincerely or understood very little about how it actually works
Dec 7th 2010 09:56   
Mary Grand Senior   SEO
Interesting ! Thank you for share it with us!
Dec 7th 2010 10:09   
Cheryl Baumgartner Professional Premium   Medical Billing/Coding/Insurance
It would be wonderful if we could all keep Christmas in our hearts year round instead hust during that period from thanks giving to New Year's day.
Dec 7th 2010 10:21   
Siddhartha Shanker Innovator   Website Consultant and Developer
Well written and appreciated.. A Good read
Dec 7th 2010 10:54   
John Nelson Senior   Friends are more valuable than GOLD!
I really dont like Dr Jeffrey Lant and his forceful way of getting people to join his program buy going into debt. But it must work just not for me. Good luck but please check before joining very carefully.
Dec 7th 2010 11:29   
Trully Luke Advanced   
Thanks so much for sharing this with us
Dec 7th 2010 12:35   
Lemont Wells Senior   Web Desinger & Affiliate Marketer
Very interesting and touching too bad people don't take time to read good stuff
Dec 7th 2010 13:35   
Lee Hardy Senior   Web Designer
lance good reading I really enjoyed. Merry xmas to you my friend.;)
Dec 7th 2010 14:43   
Jeannette Noding Senior   
Absolutely a beautiful story. It is too true that as we get older we are more into the giving rather than the receiving. Thank you for sharing.
Dec 7th 2010 18:47   
Slamet Paminto Senior   Internet Marketer
I want lke it and i need more time for learn all
Dec 7th 2010 20:07   
Scott Cloran Advanced   Security Officer
Awesome content keep up the good work
Scott Cloran
cloranmarketing.com
Dec 7th 2010 20:56   
Ezee Bids Committed   Online Auction
Great Review to read on.... I love it...
Dec 7th 2010 21:31   
Samsu Arifin Innovator   
Each year about this time, I set out to reconnect
with someone from my past with whom I have
lost touch, the way one does. Sometimes I succeed in
this task; sometimes I don?t. When I do? I make a point
of writing them a memorable letter? about
how important they are to me? and how well and what
I remember.
Dec 7th 2010 22:06   
Albrecht Beckers Innovator   
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Dec 7th 2010 23:19   
Toyin Mash Advanced   precious
It's not an easy task to celebrate xmas are we jubilating or condole our lord jesus christ?
Dec 7th 2010 23:40   
Fajar Rahadiyan Senior   Web Designer, Marketing
thanks for sharing this information.
Dec 7th 2010 23:51   
Marius Wlassak Magnate II   Business Media Consultant
Christmas is in everyones heart. It will always be. Be happy.
Dec 8th 2010 00:17   
JOSEPH CHACKERY Magnate I   Officer
Great blog! We all should welcome Christmas in our hearts by helping others.
Dec 8th 2010 00:26   
Sue and Shawn Kelly Committed   List Building Experts
Thank you for posting this article. I had the notice but had not yet read it. It is also good to know so I don't duplicate in my apsense articles
Dec 8th 2010 01:00   
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