The Old #1

The Old #1

Earlier this week Elf Roger Star shared a brief story in Santa’s Council. He told of visiting Santa in his home workshop and there getting into serious conversation. He said:

Mrs. Claus came out to bring us a few treats. She saw the serious look on our faces and not even knowing what we were talking about she said, “You boys need to lighten up.” I got to thinking about that last night and it occurs to me that we’ve forgotten something when it comes to our community standards. We need rule #1 to be “Have fun”.

The story drew many positive comments and Elf Max quickly amended the new Community Standards to reflect this rule.

But it is not a new rule.

I remember years ago, when I was just a kid in elf school, being told this rule. They called it the “old #1” – meaning this has been an axiom Santa has used for ever and ever and ever.

And that’s the thing about Santa.

You know how in some groups there is always that guy who is cheerful and smiling and messing around, even when there is heavy lifting or dirty work to do?

Santa is that guy.

He’s always whistling. He’s always telling a little joke. He’s always egging someone on to do something silly. There is a light energy to Santa, even when there is heavy responsibility in a task.

I think what Roger is saying is that given all the serious things we have been dealing with the past few years, and I think especially the past few months, we don’t want to forget to have fun.

Last year, as you may have heard, was a real trial for me. I was one of those who got really sick during the pandemic. You know, hospital kind of sick.

I’m okay now. But there was a lot I got out of that experience besides just getting really ill. I was bored much of them time. Healing for me was very slow. And I missed a lot of work. That is to say, I missed a lot of fun.

I missed the fun work working with others. I missed the fun of sharing ideas. I missed the fun of accomplishing good things together.

Well, now that I’m back I’m really appreciating the fun I’m having.

We have been working hard. I’ve been on the Elf University project. There’s been work on the Santa Tracker Herald Star. There’s a newsletter project at SantaUpdate.com you’ll soon hear about that has taken up a huge part of my work time. I have been writing and editing like crazy.

But working hard is just what we do.

Work does not have to something absent of fun. In fact, Santa insists that we have fun. It’s our #1 rule. We’re elves! It’s Christmas! It’s supposed to be fun, dummy.

I’m having the time of my life right now. Last year, when I couldn’t work and there was no fun to be found, I was miserable.

I don’t ever want to go through that again.

I commend Elf Max on the good work he’s doing here on the website. I commend Elf Roger and Santa for leading us into new things that are sure to make life as a tracker elf both more work and more fun. Things are looking good.

Having fun is a reminder that the work we do does not need to always be so serious. The serious side of things comes from somewhere happy. Santa wants to improve things so that we can accomplish more. That not only means we get more done.

It means we take greater pride in what we do.

It means we make more people happy.

It means we have more fun.

It means we keep and honor the Old #1.

About this Elf: Elf Harold Star Verified Elf North Pole Elf North Pole News Elf
Elf Harold Star is a veteran news reporter and editor formerly with the North Pole Gazette. He has reported North Pole News for more than 50 years. His new assignment here at SantaTrackers.net will be to help the elf community online to develop their own news publication. Elf Harold lives at the North Pole with his wife, 4 cats and 3 very scared goldfish.
Share this!
3 2 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Elf Ulan

Thank you, Elf Harold Star! I loved here even more!! I’m glad to hear that you’re back here and having fun now. I agree with you, Santa is an amazing person, and I think y’all around him are soooooo nice too XD I’ve already known about the way of having fun. It sounds easy but I also learned why most people forget it easily, and how to make it. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you elves are wonderful, I’m so happy to know y’all here. Thank you Santa and y’all! XD

Elf Eggnog

This was really encouraging to read! Thank you Elf Harold Star.

Elf Peppermint

Thanks, that’s a pretty good article. I always enjoy reading these and this one was a really good one to me.

Elf DixieBelle

So very glad you are better!

SantaTrackers.net
4
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x