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C oca -C ola D idn ’ t I nvent S anta , but T hey D id P opularize the I mage Every year, this idea circulates as “evidence” of how commercialized the holidays have become. As story goes, Coca-Cola “invented” the image of the round Saint Nick and his red and white suit just to sell more soda in the 1930s. Before this, Santa Claus had no “standard” uniform and often wore suits of blue, white, or green. But after Coke got their hands on him, the suit was red from then on. In reality, the image of the jolly toymaker with a stomach like a “bowl full of jelly” dates back to the popular poem, “The Night Before Christmas” written in 1822. As for the suit, illustrations of Santa Claus in a red suit with white fur appeared in advertisements dating back to 1906. This image was already common when Coca-Cola adopted it for their advertising. However, in a time before color TV, Coca-Cola’s full-color advertisement in magazines and billboards may have helped cement this version of Santa for generations to come. S nowmen W ere O nce C onsidered a H igh A rtform Today, we can take artistic expression for granted. It’s easy to get creative when you can take a class on pottery at the rec center or stop by the hobby store to grab some paints after work. However, back in the Dark Ages of Europe, art was reserved for the elite. According to “The History of the Snowman” author Bob Eckstein, “At a time of limited means of expression, snow was like free art supplies dropped from the sky.” After a snowfall, talented artisans and regular farmers alike eagerly headed outside to create their own works of art. Couples would often stroll through the village and check out their neighbors’
For Frankl, this meant providing therapy to others in the camp. As Frankl puts it, once a person finds meaning, they know the “why” of their existence, and they will be able to bear almost any “how.” In the years since “Man’s Search for Meaning” was written, it seems we’ve forgotten a lot of its advice. The Centers for Disease Control found that 4 out of every 10 Americans do not have a satisfying life purpose, and yet, 60 percent of Americans say they are happy. What gives? It comes down to the pursuit of happiness versus pursuing meaning in life. It’s the difference between “I’m going to buy this dress because it will make me happy” and “I’m going to volunteer at a shelter because it will be meaningful.” Happiness involves satisfying an immediate need, whereas finding meaning focuses on making choices that give us a sense of purpose. Even more telling, the Journal of Positive Psychology found that meaningful acts usually involve giving, but reaching happiness often means taking. Because of this, leading a meaningful life, while often more challenging, is also more satisfying. Is it possible that the pursuit of a meaningful life will lead us to happiness? Absolutely. Just don’t expect it to be an everlasting condition. Think of happiness the way psychologist Frank T. McAndrew does: “Recognizing that happiness exists — and that it’s a delightful visitor that never overstays its welcome — may help us appreciate it more when it arrives.” creations. Snow sculptures were so popular that, in 1494, the ruler of Florence, Italy, commissioned 19-year-old Michelangelo to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. Little is known about this lost masterpiece, but historian Giorgio Vasari confirmed it was “very beautiful.” ‘I t ’ s a W onderful L ife ’ W asn ’ t an I nstant C lassic As far as holiday movies go, nothing captures the sincere hope and joy of the season like “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Every year, this classic is adored by families everywhere, but the movie didn’t open to such praise. In fact, “It’s a Wonderful Life” bombed at the box office and left director and producer Frank Capra $525,000 in debt. The only people who took any interest in the movie when it first premiered were FBI agents. They felt the film’s portrayal of bankers as evil was un-American and called it “communist infiltration of the motion picture industry.” The FBI exonerated “It’s a Wonderful Life” in 1956, but the movie would become all but forgotten until 1974, when the copyright expired. Networks could air “It’s a Wonderful Life” on TV without paying any royalties, and boy did they. All through the 1980s, local television stations across America showed the movie constantly, introducing a whole new generation to this magical tale. Paramount reclaimed the distribution rights in 1995, and by then, “It’s a Wonderful Life” was a holiday favorite. There are plenty of stories surrounding beloved traditions, but what’s more important are the stories you make with your loved ones. Whatever holidays or traditions you take part in, may they bring you plenty of wonderful stories for the future. H appy holidays !
G ive U p T he S earch for H appiness
How many books have you seen with the word “happiness” in the title? A
lot, right? It’s such a popular topic because the pursuit, journey, and, ultimately, achievement of happiness is supposed to be the key to a fulfilling life. Happiness is the ultimate human condition; reaching it is our purpose and will bring us contentment.
But before you pick up that guide to happiness, there’s some new data you need to pay attention to. Turns out, we’ve been focusing on the wrong goal. More and more research is supporting the benefit of pursuing a meaningful life over a happy one.
Viktor Frankl could be called a leading expert on the topic. Frankl lived through the Holocaust in a concentration camp and saw firsthand how humans deal with unhappy circumstances. As a respected psychiatrist, his observations became the basis for his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl found that the people who stood the best chance of surviving the horrific experience were those who saw some sort of meaning in their lives, even under the bleakest circumstances.
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