A smile at Christmas

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends.

Dale Carnegie decades ago wrote about the value of a smile at Christmas.

Let's consider Mr. Carnegie's wisdom as our holiday brings many of us our deepest lows, as well as some of our warmest moments.

The Value of a Smile at Christmas

It costs nothing, but creates much.

It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None are so rich they can get a long without it, and none are so poor but are richer for its benefits.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature's best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.

And if in the last-minute rush of Christmas buying some of our salespeople should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?

For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give!

From Dale Carnegie's book: "How To Win Friends & Influence People," which will always be on one of my bookshelves.

May you and your people be blessed this holiday season, and in the year ahead.

Thank you for allowing me to share some thoughts with you!