I walked into my house the other day to find my youngest daughter watching the old Christmas classic Frosty the Snowman. Needing a break, I sat down to watch it with her. As I sat watching and reminiscing about my own childhood days of watching Frosty, I heard the famous Frosty song and was suddenly struck by three words. Although I have probably heard that song hundreds of times during my 54 years, the three words, jolly happy soul, resonated within me like never before. I thought, “jolly…happy… soul.” That’s me; that’s how I want to be known.
For so many years, I have allowed the hustle and bustle of the holidays to steal my joy. I thought, “Ok Frosty, I will no longer lose my joy, I will choose to be that jolly happy soul that I desire to be.” As I contemplated these thoughts, I was reminded of one of Andy Andrew’s seven decisions that he writes about in his book, The Traveler’s Gift. Decision number 5 begins like this: Today I will choose to be happy. I was also reminded of a scripture I have heard and quoted myself many times.
“A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
We all know the line in the chorus of Frosty that goes, “And the children say he could laugh and play just the same as you and me.” How sad it is that as adults, myself included, we so often allow the cares of our world to steal our joy and rob us of the pleasures of laughing and playing. This should not and does not have to be. Andy Andrew’s fifth decision, ends like this: I will greet each day with laughter, I will smile at every person I meet, I have a grateful spirit, today I will choose to be happy. I have been challenged, and I challenge you to let this Christmas season be the beginning of living every day full of joy and laughter, to have a merry heart, and to be a jolly…happy…soul.
Merry Christmas and Healthy Blessings to You,
Dr. Phil
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2
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LOVE IT – “Happy, Jolly, Soul” – An awesome motto to live by! Choosing to be HAPPY!
Thanks Christine.
Thanks for the piece about joy. In my hustle & bustle I do feel like “bah hum-bug’ sometimes. Thanks for the reminder & the scriptures. Be joyful and have a Merry Christmas!!
Thank you Janyce. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
So true and yes I will join with you and not allow the hustle and bustle steal my joy either.
Thank you Charlotte. Wishing you and all your family a Merry Christmas.
Wow! What a blessing and lesson for life no matter what day of the year!!
“The joy of the Lord IS my strength!”