Dear Friends,
So here it is, almost Christmas time. I'm no Hallmark card writer, just an actor. Yet, I figure I may as well share my views on holiday spirit. Heck, I got my start playing Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol back in the day - so it seems fitting I pen a few words on the winter celebration.
What discourages me about holidays like Christmas is the "me, me, me" attitude that plagues our society. I've been at the top of the mountain in terms of success - dating the "right" people, going to the "right" parties, being blessed to earn a very comfortable living playing roles I would have done for free. I've also been in depths of the gutter at times in my career - being yesterday's flavor, unable to get work, and living off of the proverbial macaroni and cheese. Of those contrasts of the periods of my life (and all points in between), it wasn't having the money to buy extravagant gifts or friends in high society that made the most memorable holidays for me.
For me, the spirit of Christmas isn't about gifts. It's about love. It's about being with those you love and telling them how you feel. I think people in our society take it for granted sometimes that others should know what we are thinking. I'll tell you something, it feels good to hear the words "I love you." And while they are scary words to say, if you mean them it feels good to say "I love you" too. "Thank you" is another wonderful phrase that goes under used, in my opinion.
To me Christmas is about showing and sharing love - for those dear to one's heart and for one's common man. It's not about how much a present costs. It's about doing your best to make others happy. That can consist of a child's homemade card for a parent, a unexpected kiss on the cheek to your spouse, a phone call to a friend or relative who is alone, or any number of things that have nothing to do with hefty price tags or fancy paper wrapping.
Please allow me to share with you a personal experience. I receive many wonderful gifts from fans. I appreciate every single one. The ones the mean the most though are the ones where the sender is sharing of themselves. For example, recently I performed in a production of one my favorite musicals: West Side Story. I received in the mail a picture of an art project by Jeanna Assman - it was a mural of West Side Story. She said I had inspired her project. That is a gift that will last life time for me - the knowledge that I have touched someone's life.
I am an opinionated young man. But I don't claim to hold the secrets of the universe. All I know is that holidays are far more meaningful to me when they are embraced with the heart and not the bank account.
I wish you all a blessed and joyous holiday season. Happiness is within you, open yourselves to that happiness. And once you find it, share it with others. My love goes out to all of you.
PEACE LOVE TRUST
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
It's All Relative
Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
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