The Lump of Coal

Yay, it's December 2nd! Christmas is almost here. December is one of my favorite times of year, you can just feel the Christmas spirit. And you can see it too, in decorations going up around the house.

     In the above picture is a little basket in our living room with all the Christmas books we own. Of course there are many classic titles by classic authors with classic characters and classic messages. But headlining the pile has been a book by an odd title by an  odd author with odd characters, but a classic message. Well, staring me in the face every time I pass by, "The Lump of Coal" by Lemony Snicket coaxed me into reading it this afternoon. I remembered the story was about a lump of coal who could not find acceptance anywhere and his journey, but didn't recall the last and perhaps most important paragraph. When the lump of coal finds a purpose to his cold, black, charcoal-y life, Mr. Snicket closes the book with the following paragraph:

     "All these things are miracles. It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season- like all the other seasons- is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them, and that's the end of this particular story."

     Your whole life is a miracle. Individual circumstances apply, but for the most part all of you have a good home with a solid family, encouraging friends, and the ability to pursue your desires. Sometimes life can try and get you down, but when it comes down to it, happiness is a choice. I saw a quote that counseled, "The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem." 

     It's a common trend among teenagers to retweet or blog sad things about their recurring relationship troubles or the fact that One Direction hasn't noticed them or something. It would do us all good to be more positive. Another common teenage trend thing (well not so much anymore) is the acronym "yolo." You Only Live Once. I'm not a cool kid who uses hashtags or retweets people other than Sportscenter, but these two trends seem in opposition to each other. If you only have one life, why would you spend it complaining about little problems? 

     The fact of the matter is, our time in this life is limited. Someday, we'll look back and wish we had done more things in high school or been different. Look back now, today, and see who you want to be. Then go and be that person. 

     You have so many things that others desperately want or need. Don't spend a minute crying over something you don't have to. The lump of coal found happiness, and hey if a crumbly black rock can do it, I think you can too.