As I meandered down to Nielson Park this morning for a quick swim and a cuppa I was thinking about how Christmas in supposed to be a time for generosity of spirit! And generosity of the wallet!
As I wandered through the green grass and swaying gum trees I happened across another meanderer like me. Takeaway coffee in hand he was singing away to his ipod. As we crossed paths I convinced myself I would give him a friendly smile. So I did one of those half smile things where you don't actually show your teeth. Kind of a cop out smile really! And not surprisingly my fellow meanderer didn't even seem to notice me at all. He kind of glanced at me blankly and continued obliviously on his way. Oblivious of my half hearted attempt to show my generosity of spirit. Oblivious of me. stop.
So from that moment on I decided, especially during this Christmas season and heck....from now on in general, I am going to smile at strangers. Unless of course they are really strange! I am going to risk it, god damn it, and give them a full smile and perhaps even a friendly 'How do you do?'.
And if they don't respond, well perhaps they will next time or perhaps they are just unfriendly bastards....but that has got nothing to do with you and me! We shall spread our Christmas Joy.
And now to the main crux of my thinking.... the other thing we can share is our wonderful singing voices! Yes badly put, this suddenly sounds like a religious newsletter. Just makes one realize you know, singing is free. Singing for others is something that us singers can do easily but often we don't. Often we are held back by shyness or an over active ego which tells us that we have to fully prepare before breaking into song, know the words, practice our delivery, wear the right outfit. But just a reminder to all you singers out there, myself included....try not to be too precious.....just open up your mouths and belt out a carol or two this Christmas. It makes such an incredible difference to an evening or a party or to a simple gathering.
And although we sometimes forget, singing really is a gift. So let's all give it!
