I have a customer called David who always bounds into my showroom with all the enthusiasm and bonhomie of a Labrador on MDMA.
When asked, How’s life? He roars back, “Bloody Marvellous!”
An hour in his presence and the world seems a better place.
Surrounding ourselves with people who are positive, kind and generous of spirit, is in my opinion, the key to happiness.
The festive season is the perfect time to spread good vibrations and this week I have certainly felt the love at Michelsberg Tailoring.
Customers have bestowed me with gifts, hugs and one of the most personal and utterly charming of items – a hand-written letter, thanking me for my service.
Good deeds are infectious – like Jack Nicholson’s line in ‘As Good as it Gets’ they make you “want to be a better man.”
So Christmas is the time to shine, to rise above those Bah Humbug!, mood hoovering half-cups and follow The Golden Rule of the birthday boy himself:
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Too saccharine? A tad schmalzy??
I think not.
This is the perfect time for a little sentimentality, to move out of our emotional comfort zones and (Greg Wallace aside) connect with people on a more intimate level.
They say you should listen to your wife, your priest and your tailor.
So here’s my top tip for spreading a little goodwill to your fellow man.
Say “Good Morning!” to a total stranger.
Give then a big smile and if you’re lucky, they’ll smile back.
And that moment is worth more than a million ‘likes’ on Instagram, or Facebook.
It’s two people connecting as God intended.
Not Mark Zuckerberg.
So go forth my friends.
Wear your silly Christmas hats, drink, be merry and hug people with impunity – the world needs more hugs!
Here’s wishing you all a Bloody Marvellous Christmas and a Bloody Belting New Year!