Santa is Watching
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 town
Every year when I was growing up this song was a familiar refrain in our house heralding in 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 me and my four siblings 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. This time period was, thankfully, 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 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.
But, on the other hand if you cried, or shouted, or pouted, or raided your big sister’s coin collection and spent it on penny candy at the corner store (sorry sis), 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, or 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 took notice of all of 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, or 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?
AND what if, because Santa was a wise Qigong master as well as an accomplished toy maker, he 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 that big girls don’t cry, but because sadness might damage your breathing system. 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 actually to fill children with joy, and happiness, and love, and gratitude on Christmas morning with his selfless acts of kindness?
This is why I practice Spring Forest Qigong. Through my practice, I’ve learned that there is no bad or perfect in Qigong, or in my daily life. There is only Good, Better, Best. I now know that Santa, the wise Qigong master, loves me on days when I’m kind and loving and also when my behavior leaves a lot to be desired.
With Love & Energy by the Pond,
Laurel Blaine
Postscript
I would love to say that I never used the “Santa Threat” when my kids were young, but I did. I’m writing this from the perspective of a grandmother whose disciplining days are thankfully over. I do, however, wish I knew then what I know now.
I imagine that it is particularly challenging for parents navigating the holiday season during this 2020 pandemic. There will be days when you regret something that you said to your kids. When this happens please just remember that Santa loves you equally on days when you feel good about your parenting, and on days when you feel like the worst parent ever.
As in Spring Forest Qigong, you will never be a perfect parent just as your kids will never be perfect children. There is only Good, Better, Best.
