Holly Jolly?

/ joyroses13

“Have a Holly Jolly Christmas…” So why is it that people aren’t more Holly Jolly this time of year?

Why are simple courtesies so easily forgotten this time of year?

I went to Sheetz (a convenience store) this afternoon to grab a sandwich and a smoothie for my kids. While waiting for my number to be called, I noticed something about the 7 people ahead of me. Each person grabbed their food when their number was called, all without saying just a simple Thank You to the person behind the counter!

Meanwhile upbeat Christmas music is playing in the store, the irony just struck me.

It’s not just that simple courtesies are forgotten at Christmas, it happens all year round. Simple courtesies can go a long way and it’s so easy to do!

Don’t be singing “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” and then go in and growl at the person who serves you.

Does it take a lot of effort to open the door for someone and wish them a Merry Christmas or just a nice day! To give an extra big smile to the cashier, who has waited on sooo many people and have had to deal with all kinds of moods.

To smile at the car that may have taken the parking space you were waiting for. Remember it’s only a parking space! As you drive around the parking lot once more, think of it as another chance to sing along loudly with the radio.

Give a smile and nod at the person who may push ahead of you in line. Take a deep breath and keep your blood pressure down. I guarantee that you will make it out of the store!

In a world where there can be a lot of Grinches, do your best to be a Cindy Lou Who!! Cindy Lou Who’s have more fun!

27 thoughts on “Holly Jolly?”

  2. I haven’t seen any bad behavior around here . . . but I haven’t been out shopping for a few weeks. If I do see any Scrooges or Grinches, I’ll start singing:

    He sees you when you’re sleeping
    He knows when you’re awake
    He knows if you’ve been bad or good
    So you better be good for goodness sake!

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    • And sing it at the top of your lungs!
      I have seen many cheerful ones it just took me off guard how it was 7 people in a row that were frowning and just grabbed their food as they stomped away. I kept telling myself surely the next person will smile, but…

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  5. I think if people truly focused on what the true spirit of Christmas is all about then we’d have more kindness and generosity spreading warm Christmas cheer. It’s not about “store-bought” gifts it’s about gifts from the heart. After all, the gift God gave us is precious and full of warmth, love, and kindness, which is what we should be striving to pass along all throughout the year. It should be about acts of kindness, generosity, compassion… Sorry, I’ve been feeling this passion on this subject recently. Thank you for your wonderful share, my dear! 🙂 ❤️

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  8. “Why are simple courtesies so easily forgotten this time of year?”
    An interesting question, but why are you asking it? Who says that courtesies are forgotten? Perhaps your seven people were preoccupied with more important matters?
    We should never make an assumption about a person’s dress, or their attitude, or whether they are friendly etc. etc., because there is likely to be so many aspects of their life that you/we know nothing about. There is never any justification for pre-judging another person.

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    • I first wanted to say, “but”….but then I felt the “nudge” and yes you are right, there never is justification for judging someone else. I don’t want to do that.
      What I can do is make sure that I am courteous and spreading smiles, hoping that it can be contagious and catch on. And that if there is someone who is having a bad day that my smile can help shed a little light their way.
      Once again you have made me think! 🙂

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      • There was a story around here a few years ago now, about an incident on the Toronto subway system.

        Apparently a man got into the subway car with his two young boys. It was out of the rush-hour period so there was lots of space, and the two boys started running around the car and playing … and generally making a lot of noise … which started to bother the other passengers.
        They started to complain about the unruly boys among themselves, until one man said that he just had to say something. All the boys probably needed was a reprimand from their Dad, and he was doing nothing!
        The man approached the father, and told him that his boys were being very disruptive to him and the other passengers, and It wouldn’t be out place to take responsibility,as their father, and do something about it.
        The man profusely apologized, and explained that they had just left the hospital where their mother had just passed away. He was trying to figure out how and when to break the news to the boys.

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  9. I feel compelled to repeat one of three quotes that I wrote in my comment yesterday to this weeks Tuesday’s Thoughts. I find myself repeating the words of the White Rabbit of Alice in Wonderland fame : “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” It often seems we get so caught up in doing things that we neglect to show common courtesy, not trying to be rude but merely inattentive to others for whatever reason. Colin’s comment says it much better than I do! Thank-you! P.S. I’m very “behinder” these days and still trying to catch up!

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    • That’s what I think too — people are rushing around trying to get everything done before Christmas, and they just don’t have much energy left to smile and chat. They probably would feel more cheerful if they did take a moment to be friendly, which would get them out of the mindset of being in a hurry and stressed out. But, that would take self-awareness, which is often the first thing to go when people start rushing around…

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      • I think we all could benefit from slowing down! Instead of running around in circles, at least that is how it feels at time! Taking a moment to breathe and sit and chat can be so rewarding.

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