“Have a holly jolly Christmas.

And in case you didn’t hear: Oh by golly,

Have a holly jolly Christmas this year!” – Burl Ives

This quote is from one of my favorite Christmas carols. Written in 1962 and first recorded by singer Burl Ives later that decade, it has lingered as one of the most popular holiday lyrics for more than 40 years.

During the workweek I send out, potentially, hundreds of emails. I work for a nonprofit organization that employees over 70,000 people and my department has the opportunity to touch each of those individuals.

At the close of each email I post a quote from my collection of favorites. I change the quote on my outgoing work email messages once every three days. In 2018, there were 20 email messages that drew positive feedback from my coworkers. I have collected those quotes and ranked them based upon amount of feedback into the top 20 for the year. These are quotes that inspired my colleagues, moved them or made them laugh.

The catchy chorus inspired the Christmas spirit in enough folks to make this quote the 19^th most popular quote of the year. Now that you’ve read it, I bet the song will stay stuck in your head all day. And that’s just the way Burl Ives would want it.

“You can’t stay mad at someone who makes you laugh.”  - Jay Leno

During the workweek I send out, potentially, hundreds of emails. I work for a nonprofit organization that employees over 70,000 people and my department has the opportunity to touch each of those individuals.

At the close of each email I post a quote from my collection of favorites. I change the quote on my outgoing work email messages once every three days. In 2018, there were 20 email messages that drew positive feedback from my coworkers. I have collected those quotes and ranked them based upon amount of feedback into the top 20 for the year. These are quotes that inspired my colleagues, moved them or made them laugh.

Of course, Jay Leno has made us laugh for years as a stand-up comedian, host of the Tonight Show on NBC and now as a recurring character on the sitcom Last Man Standing. So he ought to know about making us laugh and how that humor helps to diffuse tense and angry situations. My coworkers agreed with him. His quote above made no one mad and is in the top 20 quotes of the year at number 20.

If you'd like me to speak to your group about how to be a media savvy Christian, contact me at 

916-296-4647.

Who is your all time favorite superhero? That was the question on our whiteboard at work this morning. Each week a pop culture question is asked, we all write our answer on the board and vote at the end of the week for a winner. Iron Man, Super Man, Hulk were all listed. I wrote down "My son." I don't think I'll win the whiteboard contest this week, but my answer is truthful. Superheroes are wonderful sources of entertainment that we watch and read about. I think they serve a valuable purpose. But ultimately they are not real. What my son has overcome and the strength and perseverance he shows every day to rise above his challenges -- that is real. That is what we should recognize and celebrate. And that makes him my superhero.

If you'd like me to share Parker's inspirational story at your church or event, please contact me at 916-296-4647.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou.

I collect quotes. I have for years. My student government office wall in college was covered with a cacophony of quotes. Important things people have said.

“Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend." – Plautus.

Famous people and not so famous people. Sometimes from friends, even things I have said.

“ENCOURAGEMENT TAKES COURAGE.
 A. The courage to risk your time.
 B. The courage to risk your effort.
 C. The courage to risk rejection. “– Rich Seiber.

Celebrities, athletes, politicians can all say something profound at one time or another.

“I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn't have the heart to let him down.” - President Abraham Lincoln

Occasionally they are not quotes from real, historical people but from books, movies, television shows or song lyrics.

"For as long as I shall live, I will testify to love.
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough.
With every breath I take, I will give thanks to God above.
For as long as I shall live, I will testify to love." – Testify to Love sung by Wynonna Judd, from a Touched by an Angel episode.

Usually I collect quotes about encouragement, how to encourage others. Closely related to that are sayings about friendship, caring and smiling.

“Smile! It increases your face value.” – Dolly Parton as Truvy in Steel Magnolias.

Every three days at work I change my outgoing email message so that it features a new quote. I regularly get feedback from coworkers about their favorites, what speaks to them, inspires them. This quote is the most well-liked of all:

“Worry less about who you might offend and worry more about who you might inspire.” – Tim Allen, as “Mike Baxter” in Last Man Standing.

I do believe quotes have the potential to inspire, bless, motivate.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

Words have tremendous power. Let’s not pretend otherwise. The Bible agrees with me.

"Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." - Proverbs 16:24 (King Solomon).

Collecting quotes allows me to learn from the words of others who are wiser than I am. Memorizing them, categorizing them, sharing them with others feeds my soul.

"Good words are worth much and cost little."- George Herbert.

I encourage you to feed your own soul. Start collecting quotes. You’ll find there is wonder in the words of the wise.

"Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire.
Joy will fall like rain, when you speak life with the things you say." – Speak Life sung by Toby Mac.

I am launching a new Web site with a free ebook offer on Amazon.com. Please check out my first novel The Homeless Informant. It is free until midnight today. Enjoy and thanks for your interest in my books.

https://www.amazon.com/Homeless-Informant-Husband-Hospitalization-fall-ebook/dp/B00UBLQZM0/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=rich+seiber&qid=1558974102&s=gateway&sr=8-3