It seems we all get so busy this time of year. Looking for a little Christmas cheer amongst the hustle and bustle? Here are two movies that can help out.

Elf
A really funny movie with an interesting premise. A human raised as an elf at the North Pole is introduced to life in New York City as he learns that he’s not really an elf and that his real father is on Santa’s “naughty” list. Much of the comedy comes from how this grown man acts like a kid because he doesn’t know any better.

It’s a Wonderful Life
A must-see encouraging movie. Make it a tradition.

The most valuable thing I did today was play with my two girls (2 and 4 years old) for 30 minutes. They were dressed for fun in their princess garb with bare feet. It was a simple game that combined elements of tag, hide and seek, capture, and a huge element of surprise. We made up the “rules” as we went.

Our basement is full of hiding places, dark corners (when the lights are off), and most importantly, a “loop” that kids require for running around and chasing each other in circles. It would start by saying “I’m going to get you!” and the chase began. I’d double back and surprise them on the other side of the loop. They would scream with delight and turn around to run the other direction immediately and without thought. Sometimes they wanted to get caught and then attempt escape from the couch and pillow fortress. They would hide and I’d search for them. Hearing their giggles as I walked by “unknowingly” made it easy to find them. I’d hide behind a couch or table and surprise them. A soft blanket provided another great hiding place as well as a furry “hug monster”.

Mostly, they just loved the surprise of never knowing where I’d show up next. I sure got my aerobics workout for the day, had fun, and built a memory for my kids at the same time. I know that TIME together speaks love to them. So, although, the game could seem pointless and non-productive, its results will last a lifetime as they remember the fun they had together with their dad.

Life is full of twists, turns, and surprises. There are many things we might never expect would happen to us like job loss, divorces, health issues, etc. All these things are CHANGE that we have to adapt to. It is our choice HOW we handle the change.

If we can delight as kids do in the change, embrace it, and immediately change our direction, plan, and attitude to deal with it we are so much better off. We may not understand WHY. Sometimes there aren’t good reasons. Life is just that way. So much is out of our control. When we accept and say “yes” to whatever the next thing is we can move on and even inspire others.

Ask yourself: What are the best things I can do TODAY to move forward? That’s all you can do. You can’t expect more from yourself. You can only work with what information you know right now. Ask trusted advisors for help when you don’t know what to do. Life will go on and you can go on with it.

I got the courage to try out for our high school musical West Side Story. Finally, it was respectable and cool theater for guys…not just the usual song and dance, but gangs! The Jets vs. the Sharks! We were ready for some respect. I auditioned as Steve Martin doing a poem called “Cruel Shoes” with sunglasses and a fedora hat to show my incredible acting range. Out of all the guys that auditioned, I arguably had the best voice…really. “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way from your first cigarette to your last dying day…”

All summer long I had prepared. I memorized the music, practiced the parts, watched the movie countless times. I desperately wanted to be Tony, the lead role, or at least Riff, the leader of the Jets. Disappointment was imminent. I was crushed that I didn’t get the lead part of Tony. It went to my best friend. His girlfriend, a blonde Scandinavian got the part of the Maria. (In the interest of cultural diversity, every other Puerto Rican woman in the show was also played by a blonde.) To add insult to injury, I didn’t get the part of Riff either!

I was offered the part of Baby John. You don’t remember him? I barely noticed him in the script. He was a Jet that read comic books…and his name…Baby! I was so upset. I even cried…like a baby. “Why me?”, I lamented. “This director doesn’t care about me. I’m not even going to be in the play at all.” So I went to tell our director, Jennifer Hadtrath, that I was quitting.

“Let’s talk” she said as we sat down in the auditorium for some one-on-one counseling. “Tim, I chose you to be Baby John because he is one of the most important Jets. He is a thinker and peacemaker. He has a heart. He carries a comic book but plays with the big boys. He cares about people and Maria. He is scared and not afraid to show it when others hide their feelings.” After her explanation and somewhat reluctantly, I took the part.

On the far left, Baby John reads a comic as the gangs plan to rumble at the “war council” in West Side Story.

Long after the show was over, I realized some things about the part I was assigned. I got to be a leader in the jets and played it for huge laughs in the song “Officer Krupke”. Riff wasn’t even in that song since he died in the first act! In my extra time off stage I got to direct the pit orchestra and develop more of my musical skills. Tony, by the way, also dies at the end. (Oops, that’s a spoiler.) Baby John also played the clincher role in the final scene. I kissed Maria and comforted her in her moment of loss. In the end, the show went on and Baby John was the best part for me. In fact, I now realize that Baby John was the consummate “Child at Heart”.

The finale of “Officer Krupke” in West Side Story, Columbia Heights High School 1983.

Jennifer took the time to believe in me and saw who I was inside…even after my Cruel Shoes audition. She played an important part in making me who I am today. We all have a role to play in life that is uniquely made for us. Are you trying to be someone you’re not?

Jennifer was an underpaid high school drama director with a passion to build kids up and encourage them to be their best. She spent late nights and stressful times loving us kids. The challenge to us today is: Can you bring out the best in someone by believing and encouraging them?

Addendum: The following spring, the drama department play was “Alice in Wonderland”. I played a rabbit. So much for macho theater.

I played on the high school tennis team…and I was pretty good if I do say so myself. I’ve got a lot of years of experience under my belt.

That’s why it’s so humbling when your 4 year old daughter tells you in a matter of fact voice and all seriousness “daddy, you need to wait for the ball before you hit it.” We were playing Wii tennis together.

She looks a bit like she’s wielding a light saber in the metropolitan ballet more than making ace tennis moves. Even so, not only is she good, but she’s even figured out the more subtle parts of the game. She’s got the extra fast power serve nailed. It’s amazing the killer court moves she can put on me. She’s also quite competitive and knows the tennis lingo now. “Dad, It’s my turn to serve.” She is a bit confused about all the “love” in the game.

And so I’m a little embarrassed to let you know that I laugh a like Dr. Evil in Austin Powers when I actually win a game…”heh heh heh heh!”. It’s quite an accomplishment for me. My secret? I practice after she’s gone to bed at night. I hope she doesn’t catch me.

Wii Game System

Here’s a great Christmas Gift…if on the expensive side of things. Build your own Muppet at the FAO Schwarz Whatnot Workshop.

If you want to be truly inspired by kids, listen this rendition of our national anthem. I think it’s among the best I’ve heard.