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This is a house near mine that in a funny way captures for me both the holiday spirit & living in your joy in the purest and funnest way. I know they've been doing this for at least ten years, and to consider their dedication to the amount of work this takes every year floors me. They don't earn any money from putting up all these lights. They don't have people knocking on their door saying "thank you." They really get nothing, they do it because they love to do it and because they love to share it with others. I took my 2 year old niece by this house and hearing her "wows" and "woahs" and seeing her smile made me so grateful for what these people do. But there's also the factor that their neighbors allow this blinding light display to be on their block year after year. They allow cars to drive up and park in front of their homes so people can take pictures. They too get nothing from it except the knowledge that they're giving people a good feeling.  The generosity of both their time and electric bill aside, the fact that they do this because they love to do it is what life is all about. It's weird to cover every inch of your house in lights. It's strange to have both Elmo and the Abominable Snowman as light fixtures side by side. But they love it. They're having total fun with it. And that is something that stays with me long after Christmas is over.
During the holiday season we turn so much of our attention to giving, which is wonderful. But is there some way you can give, as these people are, that also brings you joy in return? That is something that won't just light up your house like a Christmas display. It's something that will light up the whole world with love and happiness, and that is how quickly and easily you change the world. Yes, you can change the world, and it's as simple as spreading joy in a way that brings YOU joy in return. |
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