Are you familiar with the holiday tradition called the Elf on the Shelf?
It’s when the North Pole sends an elf doll to a home to keep a watchful eye on the children and make sure they belong on Santa’s “nice” list.
There are rules for the elf’s stay inside the home…
First, the elf must never move or speak when people are home or awake, but can “move” from place to place when no one is around.
Second, the elf flies to the North Pole every night to report back to Santa and returns to the home before morning.
Third, children are not allowed to touch the elf or it will lose its magic.
The elf leaves one final time on Christmas Eve, hitching a ride back home on Santa’s sleigh. It will return the following December to start the process over again.
In the 2011 movie version of The Elf on the Shelf, a young scout elf named Chippy takes on the difficult task of restoring Taylor McTuttle’s, a cynical pre-teen, belief in Christmas.
After a couple of days in Taylor’s home, Chippy discovers his assignment is going to be harder than he expected. Even though happiness and excitement surround him, the boy refuses to buy into the spirit of Christmas.
So, Skippy wishes that, instead of having to sit still on a shelf, he could fly around the room in front of Taylor to get him to believe in the spirit of Christmas again.
Well, not only is that against the rules, but he realizes that for the belief to last, Taylor has to feel it in his heart.
As I watched this short holiday movie, I couldn’t help but think about all of us who don’t believe in ourselves. And how that lack of belief makes us play small in life, and keep our gifts hidden inside of us. Gifts that can not only change our life but the world.
During this special season, the PGI Team is renewing our commitment to helping you realize and use your gifts. We’ll continue to share all we know about how your mind works and how to bring more of yourself to the surface. We will coach, facilitate, and keep reminding you that you are God’s highest form of creation.
But the rest is up to you. Just like Taylor McTuttle, we can’t make you believe. You have to carry it in your heart.
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, make this a time of love, joy and peace. And every now and then, stop to recognize the spiritual power that is flowing to and through you in each moment. Focus on it, feel it, and develop belief in yourself so, like Skippy and all the other elves, you can spread some hope and wonder to this world.
Happy Holidays!
Bob, Sandy, and the PGI Team
