With YOUR Southern Gentleman, Johnny Birdsong
Happy Holidays everyone. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Right? I know we all stay busy, have THINGS going on and sometimes it seems hard to find that Christmas spirit.
I had the opportunity to interview another gentleman recently who has been known for having those same feelings. Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge shared some of his time with me during this hectic holiday. After speaking with him, I feel certain, if Scrooge can find the Christmas spirit, then we can all find a way to do so and to be better, learning from his storied experience.
How would you describe your attitude toward Christmas before your transformation?
Bah! Christmas was just a waste of time. A day for idle people to take off work and squander their money. If they want to be merry, they can find their own way to do it. I found it a nuisance, a distraction from the real business of life—making money and surviving. If people can't make it on their own, that's their problem. I had no sympathy for such things.
But, of course, you had a change of heart after your visitation from the ghosts. What was your initial reaction to the events that night?
At first, I thought I was losing my mind! Ghosts, chains, and visions of my past—it was madness. I didn’t believe in such things. But the more I saw, the more it became clear that I had been blind to the suffering and the needs of others. It was as if someone was trying to force open my heart, and I didn’t know how to resist it.
What is the most important thing you've learned from your visit with the Ghost of Christmas Present?
The most important lesson is that the present moment is all we truly have. I spent so much time dwelling on the past or obsessing over what the future might bring, I neglected the present—neglected the people who were right in front of me, including my family. The present moment is where we can make the most difference, and I intend to live in it fully, appreciating every minute I have.
What do you now understand about the importance of love, kindness, and community?
I now see that love and kindness are what make life truly rich. Money can buy comfort, but it cannot buy happiness or fulfillment. It’s the people we care for and who care for us that truly make life worth living. I’ve learned that community and connection are far more valuable than hoarding wealth.
How do you intend to spend the rest of your life now that you’ve learned the true meaning of Christmas?
I will spend the rest of my life making up for the mistakes I made. I will live with generosity in my heart, making sure that my actions reflect the compassion I’ve learned. I’ll spend my days building relationships, spreading kindness, and living with purpose.
How has your view on wealth changed? Do you believe that money is less important than human connection now?
I’ve come to understand that wealth is only valuable when it is used to help others. Money itself is nothing—it’s just paper and metal. The real wealth is in the people we love, the bonds we create, and the good we do in the world. That’s what I value now.
Thank you, Ebenezer. I think there is a lot we gentlemen can learn from you and live by your famous words,"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present, and the future. The Spirits of all three shall strive within me."
As for me I have seen and dealt with the “ghosts” of my past and have learned that life is precious. Hug your wife, tell your kids you love them, send a message to somebody you haven’t talked to in awhile and tell them you are thinking of them. Help a stranger. Give to a cause. Celebrate! Believe! And have yourself a Merry little Christmas.
