I Am Santa

All over the world, children - and perhaps a few adults - anxiously awaited Santa's visit this past Friday night.  They dreamt of the perfect present that he would leave under the tree.  Maybe some of us also wished for something else...a Christmas miracle...a restored relationship, financial increase, better health.

It occurred to me that this childlike behavior doesn't always end with childhood.  Oh, we may not call it Santa Claus, but it's still there.  The hope, the wish, the prayer that someone else is going to bring that magical something into our lives.  A new job.  A healthy, fit body.  That perfect Mr./Mrs. Right.  I have bad news, kids: Santa Claus isn't coming.

See, it's much easier for us to assign that responsibility to someone else.  I mean, I'm not actually supposed to work towards these things, am I?  Isn't there some Fairy Godmother coming to my rescue? A Genie in a Bottle to grant me three wishes, so that suddenly, my life will be perfect??  I'm afraid not.

Listen, I'm not throwing stones!  I've been just as guilty as anyone else.  But I finally learned, if I want a better life, I have to work for it.  It's not going to fall in my lap or be left under a shiny tree in the middle of the night. 

If I want a new job, I've got to do the best job I possibly can in my current position, figure out what I'd like to do in the next, and then network like crazy to make it happen.  Is landing the perfect job still out of my control?  Yes, but now I'm taking steps to get closer, to increase the likelihood of finding it.  I'm not waiting for a fantasy recruiter to call me up to offer me my dream job because they heard how great I am.

If I want to enjoy good health and wellness, then I've got to stop eating ice cream for dinner while sitting in front of the boob tube for hours on end.  That's not living.  That's hiding.  Trust me - been there, done that.

Look, I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes, but if it hurts just a little bit to hear this, then maybe you should take a moment to examine your life.  What do you really want?  (Not what do you think other people think you should want!!)  How are you going to get it?  If your life isn't working for you now, then it's time for a change.  Only you can make that decision.  I encourage you to do it today.

When you do, I promise, you won't have to wait for one day a year to experience magic.  You can live it every day.