Give. ‘Til it Hurts.
I’ve been doodling around this holiday season in pretty much the same way that I approach the rest of the year (since I became an adult). I generally try to be nice to other people, try to show respect, attempt to empathize and understand that not every else is on the same page in terms of having implicitly signed the hypothetical social contract that most adults do. In general, I try to lead a life of integrity and sincerity. Manners are a big part of this – I’ve found that “yes sir” and “no ma’am” can be two of the most disarming phrases in the English language.
It was only recently that I discovered that this worldview is more or less a letter-perfect recreation of Japan’s “Bushido Code”. Don’t believe me? Eugoogoolize it. Or if you’re too busy to flex your browsing muscles (a gift-phrase from my friends at Trek) , just peek HERE. Thought I was kidding? Nope. I’m not. I’m a walking, talking, 21st-century Scots-Irish samurai. And nobody’s more surprised about that than I am.
Back to our story. About being nice to other people.
You see, I’ve got two little boys now. And that means adopting a fresh perspective or two. And swearing less. In the case of the holiday season I’ve really reexamined what the takeaways are – or should be. And I’ll have to admit, being a part of their unbridled excitement and enthusiasm has rekindled my own joy for the season…and provided me a thoughtful vantage point from which to observe not only the holiday, but how people choose to celebrate it. This December I’ve been fortunate to get a look at the world around me that takes both their childlike capacity for living in the moment and their bottomless capacity for joy and melds it with whatever wisdom I’ve collected over my near 4 decades on the planet.
Because of my kids and the kinder, gentler person that they’ve helped/forced me to become I’ve been trying extra hard to embrace the holiday spirit in thought, word and deed. And I think that you should too. Or maybe everyone else already is and I’m just arriving a day late to the maturity party. I’ll concede that that has been the case more than a few times 0ver the past…uhhh…30 years. But not anymore.
I’d like all of you to think about the concept of giving. And not necessarily giving ‘things’, but giving of yourselves. Of striving to take the high road. Of turning the other cheek. Of offering a kind word, a moment of shared love or kindred beliefs…or acknowledgement of the validity of the beliefs of others. Of endeavoring to be the voice of reason in whatever room you may find yourself. Of being kind. Not for a new fire truck or a tiger costume, but for kindness’ sake alone.
It really is that simple. Devote 60 seconds of your day today to thinking about what sort of example your actions might provide to a 3 year old…ostensibly the same kid that we’d like to grow up to make better choices than we did. To be kinder. To create a better world. To have a better life. Pretty much the same things that we all want for our kids. Or for the next generation. And for the next 10 days or so, I challenge all of you to live that promise. To set that example. To give those around you the gift of you. At your best.
And if that doesn’t work, we’ve got Horton prints. HORTON PRINTS, baby! (Sorry.)
So give. Give richly. Thoughtfully. Deeply. Without reservation. Enjoy this holiday season and embrace those around you.
And the whole “Give ‘Til it Hurts” thing in the title? Keep eating those Christmas cookies, boyo. But be prepared to ‘give’ just a little bit more on the trainer, in the gym or at the Nordic center, because the bill for a successful summer comes due right now. Don’t lose your appetite for pain over the long winter. Those that forget this simple lesson seldom taste glory once the dog days of summer arrive.
Happiest of holidays from all of us at VeloGear.
Velo Jones
