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Reading was a very important part of our night-time ritual. During the Christmas season, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg was one of our favorites. As you remember the story, “on Christmas Eve, many years ago, as a young child lay awake in bed, thinking about Santa and listening for a sound” a sound a friend had told me I’d never hear ”the ringing bells of Santa’s sleigh.”

Magically, he was awakened to a steam engine parked in his front yard. He climbed on the train, the Polar Express, heading all the way to the North Pole.

As you remember in the story, the children saw the factory where all the Christmas toys were made. The conductor told them Santa will choose one of the children to receive the first gift of Christmas. Looking at all the children, he wondered who it would be. He recognized that they all had great hopes. They all wanted to be the first one to choose from of the huge pile of presents in front of them. Then, Santa’s decision was made.

The lad was chosen! The boy knew that he could have anything he wanted from the whole factory where every Christmas toy was made! But what he wanted most for Christmas was not inside Santa’s giant bag. What he wanted most was one silver bell, from Sant’s sleigh. If he had the bell, then he would be able to prove to his doubting friend, that Santa exists! Amazingly, Santa nodded to the lad, then held up the bell high in the air and called out, “The first gift of Christmas!”

Later that month, when we went to our church Christmas party, my first grader sat on Santa’s lap, asking for what he wanted most of all. I couldn’t hear what he asked for. A friend of mine caught up with me later in the evening and said that she thought I better hear what my son asked Santa for.

When he woke up on Christmas morning, he was practically peaceful as he opened his present from Santa. One silver bell from Santa’s sleigh.

Action: Read, Ask, Listen, Practice

Read: Read to your kids, they love the time you spend with them. Go to the library together to pick out books. Let them choose the ones they treasure. For yourself, read about the power of thought, especially Wayne Dyers Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

Ask: Ask your child what is important to him, what she believes, and ask yourself and your child about the hopes for the future.

Listen: Listen to what she says, how he feels, what’s going on in your mind, and what all the hopes and dreams are. It’s never the wrong time to identify dreams and beliefs. These thoughts and dreams are the beginning of the future.

Practice: Practice remembering and reminding of the dreams and goals. Write down affirmations, say them out-loud daily, and teach your children to do the same.