Shower Thoughts with Shelly

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Let your heart be happy

“Why would someone put up all those lights when their house is in such bad shape?”

Oh I cringed so hard when I heard that statement made. My inner voice groaned so loud she drowned out the real life sounds around me. I thought to myself, “what a terrible judgment to pass on someone.” I replied that I felt better about their Christmas spirit, even if they didn’t have the nicest place to decorate, and I moved on.

But it’s been bugging me.

Who are we, any of us, to judge someone like that? Think about it. Any house you see might have small children in it. Maybe they don’t have a lot of money for a lot of presents, but they were given Christmas lights to help bring some joy to the kids in the house. Maybe they’re working on the house, but didn’t want to deny themselves the joy of lights for the season.

Or, can you imagine the horror the world could be if we adopted thoughts and comments like that one? Why bother washing your clothes if you’re just going to get them dirty again? Why bother trying to dress decently if your body is pudgy and not up to society’s standards? Why wash your hands if you’re going to get sick eventually anyway? That’s a slippery slope, friend.

Never deny yourself Christmas spirit if you can find it. Do not for a single second think that you should ever refuse to embrace a positive because it’s not good enough to balance the negative.

Truly, never deny yourself positive vibes, or a silver lining, no matter what the time of year. You might’ve tripped coming down the stairs, but you didn’t break a bone. You might’ve broken a bone, but at least it was just the one.

Maybe your house isn’t the nicest on the block, or even within four blocks… but you put those lights up and you sing Merry Christmas to your heart’s content and as many times as you please. Maybe you don’t have it as good or as nice as the neighbor, or the person living down the street. But if you find joy, you cling to it and let your heart be happy.

And maybe you do have it good… and you’ve got the nicest house, and the newest, shiniest car. So maybe don’t worry about someone making the best of what they have, and worry more about why you feel the need to put them down for it.