First of all, you must believe in yourself. (Santa’s psychologist)
Today is December 1st, time to open the first little door on our Advent calendars and retrieve the chocolate, or toy, or ornament inside — the countdown to Christmas has begun! And I was thinking: if you were the mythic, storybook Santa Claus, what would you be doin’ right now?
Really! Beyond all the stories, movies, animated television shows and such that you’ve likely read or seen about Santa Claus— what would you be doing right now, December 1, if you were Santa? And the answer all kinda depends, first of all, on whether you’re able to enter into this in your imagination, and if so, who you believe or project Santa to be. Because the Santa you see is the Santa that lives inside of you! Pretty cool, huh?
I see Santa as a real organized old gent who’s had his act together probably since the end of July, and certainly since September 1. Everything created, loaded, ready to go. December’s just a time to kick back and enjoy cookies and card games with the reindeer. Elves have the month off. He has a little trouble because sometimes in the night he gets this really great idea for a new invention or toy, and has to restrain himself from plunging into creating before his start-again date of January 1 — those ideas capture him every time.
And sometimes I think Santa might get a tad pensive and wonder why it’s him that gives all the time, why no one ever gives to him. And then he remembers all those cookies left for him, and feels guilty for having those thoughts . . . this ole Santa within me can get himself in a real double-bind, huh? I think it’s just when he gets tired that he feels that way — most of the time, he’s mighty happy that he’s Santa, that he is truly blessed among men.
For now? I’m gonna relax and enjoy those card games and egg nog.