Tomorrow will be better than today

We all need this hope

What’s your least favorite Christmas song? My wife would say it’s a tie between the Little Drummer Boy and Carol of the Bells. I have a new winner for me this year. I caught the Hannah Waddingham Christmas special on Apple TV+ recently. It’s highly entertaining, especially for Ted Lasso fans. BUT…since I’ve watched it, I can’t get this song out of my head and it seems to pop up in every store I go into. You know it, you love it, you can’t get enough of it…

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I won’t go into the strange lyric of “there’ll be scary ghost stories” but I do want to ask you this question:

Is this really the most wonderful time of the year for you?

I recently had a discussion with a server at a local restaurant who can’t stand Christmas. For him, it brings memories of growing up poor and not getting any presents. For many, it can bring a sense of dread. Perhaps you’re gathering with a family that you tolerate or worse yet struggle with. You’re forced into a confined space and have to process through old stories and the emotions that go with them. Some of us lost people we love during this time of year and we’re reminded of who isn’t here.

For most of us, it’s an experience of good, bad, and in between. I wanted to acknowledge that many around us are struggling. While we may put on a good face in public and on social media, there are people you will run into who need your encouragement. Each of us is fighting a battle others know nothing about.

My intent with this newsletter is to leave you with practical takeaways to make the world a better place, so much as it depends on you. Here are a few ideas:

• Be kind to yourself. We are so much harder on the person in the mirror than anyone else. Cut yourself extra slack this week.

• Make someone smile today. Anyone. You choose. It’s amazing what this simple act can do for others.

• Give an unexpected bonus. If you hire people to help around your home, pay them a bonus equivalent to what you pay for a normal visit.

• Buy a coffee. Strike up a friendly conversation with the person you’re in line with. Then buy their double eggnog pumpkin raspberry mochachinno latte.

• Release perfection. The meal won’t be perfect. The kids will fight. They won’t like their gifts. Uncle Joe will get overserved on spiked eggnog again. Your mother-in-law will ask if you got the salt and sugar mixed up in your apple pie. You’re not in charge of others, you can only control yourself. Decide in advance to stay calm until an ER visit is required!

You might be the person God sent to give one person hope that tomorrow will be better than today. You can be the one to change someone’s trajectory. Don’t miss your chance!

Next week, we’ll talk about my end-of-year process and ideas for growing yourself first in 2024. Until then, have a most won… I mean EXCELLENT week! And lest you think I’d not share the sonic earworm that’s been plaguing me all week…. Heeeerrreee’s Hannah!