These seven words will be your best friends if you let them. They don’t look like friends, do they? They don’t look like the kind of statement that would come from a place of benevolence or wisdom. Sounds like something a crappy father would say, or the drunk Santa down at the Wiltshire Mall.

Think harder, though. Harder than you normally do when you’re sucking down yet-another-blog-post, or a slew of tweets, or a rash of statuses. Think about something deeper down, something further in.

You will never be rich or famous. Kinda sucks, doesn’t it? Like a bad medicine going down the wrong pipe, it’s not easy to take. For nearly all of you reading this, it’s a guaranteed prophecy. Rich and famous is only cool because so few actually obtain it. Fewer still obtain it and come out unscathed.

But the “Christmas is in your heart” sentiment is not what I’m going for this time, although very true. I’m going for something tangible this time. Not so much warm fuzzies as scratchy actualies (a word I just made up so Urban Dictionary wouldn’t feel lonely at Christmastime). Scratchy actualies are things that ring true and have a physical affect, like “She pounded the nail into the wood,” “He hit the ball out of the park,” and “The house he built for her was beautiful, and small, and perfect.” Stuff that simply is, needing little explanation.

“And this year, finally, he told his mother that he loved her.”
“They sang carols with one another that night, together.”
“And she kissed him, even though mistletoe was scarce and there were fewer presents under the tree.”

Small stories are no less amazing than big ones. Little miracles are still miracles. The joy and curiosity and ability with which you take on the tasks and relationships of your life are the stuff of real Christmas spirit.

Somewhere in Hollywood, someone rich and famous will surely sit at home with their family, bestowing gifts and eating good food. There won’t be any cameras around. No reporters will care. Just like you and me, they’ll curl up, wearing thick socks and extra layers, and watch an old Christmas movie. They’ll probably laugh at the same parts they always do. And they’ll botch their favorite quotes, but no one will care.

Go ahead and shake hands with these seven words. Give ‘em a hug and offer them a mug of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. Believing it will release you to be your better self. Rich and famous is a byproduct of talent and desire, of course, but mostly it’s about timing. And you can’t plan for timing.

May your love for one another be filthy rich. May you be famous among your friends and family for your kindness and generosity. May your wealth of friendship be boundless, and may you sit back, wherever you are, and know that you’re blessed.