Santa Claus is Coming to Town
He’s gonna find out whose naughty or nice?
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list,
Checking it twice;
Gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.
Santa Claus is coming to townSanta Clause is Comin’ To Town, written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
When I was a child, this song signaled the beginning of the holiday season. It was a catchy tune with catchy lyrics. If the underlying threat of this song gave our parents a bit of a break from my four siblings and me fighting, I’m sure they were grateful.
This was a time when many people believed that children were meant to be seen and not heard. An era when often-stressed Moms resorted to the threat of, “Just wait till your father gets home.” A time when, unfortunately, the image of fathers taking off their belts danced in many children’s heads. Thankfully, this period was near the end of the “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child” era.
I can’t help but wonder how Santa got brought in as the enforcement officer in so many family homes. On the one hand, we were told that Santa was the epitome of generosity and kindness, squeezing down narrow sooty chimneys on Christmas Eve to fill children’s stockings with toys.
However, if you cried, shouted, pouted, or raided your big sister’s coin collection and spent it on penny candy at the corner store (sorry, sis), you were in big trouble. You were at risk of Santa bringing you nothing or a lump of coal at best. To me, growing up, these conflicting images were very confusing.
What if, in actuality, Santa was a wise Qigong master who didn’t mind that you were sad, angry, or afraid? What if Santa loved you no matter what? What if Santa loved you, even more when you were misbehaving because he knew you just needed some extra love, compassion, and attention?
What if Santa also noticed all the kind and compassionate things you did throughout the year? Things like leaving May baskets on the doorsteps of your elderly neighbors? Or playing with your baby brother while your mom cooked dinner? What if Santa loved you no matter what you did, thought, or said?
More importantly, what if Santa, in his infinite wisdom, knew that there was no such thing as a bad kid, just as there was no such thing as a perfect kid?
Is it possible that Santa was a wise Qigong master and an accomplished toy maker? Santa didn’t want you to feel angry and shout because it could hurt your liver. He wouldn’t want you to cry, not because you were told big girls don’t cry, but because sadness might damage your breathing system. But, most of all, he didn’t want you to fear that you would get a lump of coal in your stocking Christmas morning because he wanted your kidneys clear and free from blockages.
What if Santa already knew what medical science has proven — that our emotions impact our health? And what if his whole purpose in life was to fill children with joy, happiness, love, and gratitude on Christmas morning with his selfless acts of kindness?
Through my Spring Forest Qigong practice, I’ve learned that there is no bad or perfect in Qigong, or in my daily life. It is only Good, Better, and Best. Santa, the wise Qigong master, loves me when I’m kind and loving and when my behavior leaves a lot to be desired.
With Love & Energy by the Pond,
Laurel
