JUGHEADS
Youth Juggling Company, LLC
5905 Concord Avenue
Edina, MN 55424
jugheads@comcast.net
or 952.926.0896

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December 2003

"Year-round Character "

I happened upon a great example of Truth during a rare moment of random TV watching the other night. PBS aired a special about the history of the Andy Williams Christmas Special. During one of the full-length songs they featured, Mr. Williams was strolling around a street-scene set with fake snow and singing about how on Christmas Day, everyone seems to be happy and friendly with each other, but that he wished we could all be that way the whole year. Cheesy, maybe, and perhaps nauseating to anyone who’d rather see Justin Timberlake crooning about things other than neighborly love. However, Mr. Williams’ song reminded me of one of the chief missions of JH: to develop year-round character. To put on a facade for a day or a season only to return to apathy, bitterness or even disdain for others after the singing stops smacks of hypocrisy. Joy should run deep, not be dependent on presents or parties. Joy trumps happiness. Our gift to others should be to exude joy and love all year and not depend on the season or the circumstance. Then, every day would be a “holy-day.”