• If Christmas were tomorrow
• Quotes

If Christmas were tomorrow
Contributed by Mary Beth Weston, BYU Financial Aid Office

If Christmas were tomorrow
And the shops were closed today
I’d have to do my giving in a more creative way.

I couldn’t use my credit cards or money from a loan
I couldn’t place an order by .com or telephone.
I couldn’t run to Dillards, the GAP, ZCMI
I couldn’t shop Old Navy, or buy my dad a tie.

No candy from See’s or Kara’s, or CD’s from Media Play
And from Victoria’s Secret I couldn’t buy lingerie.
No books from Barnes and Noble, Border’s or Deseret Book
No games from Toys ‘R Us like SkipBo, UNO, and Rook.

I’d have to think and ponder, put my senses to the test
And determine for each receiver the gift I’d think is best.
The one that comes from heart or hand without a price tag on it.
A heartfelt letter to Mom or Dad; perhaps I’d write a sonnet.
My favorite Kodak moments made into a collage
Would hopefully bring smiles and sincere, but quiet, applause.
I could make a coupon book of thoughtful things to do—
A pedicure, a manicure, a Christmas barbeque,
Dinner on the terrace, a snowy day at the zoo,
Or how about a video with popcorn and drinks for two?

But Christmas isn’t tomorrow
And the shops aren’t closed today,
But I like the idea of giving in a more creative way.
I know it’s not too early to begin my Christmas list
Especially if I have the goal in mind of credit card resist.

Quotes

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.

– Mark Twain (1835-1910) Humorist and writer

The minute you pick up the phone, body language disappears and your tone of voice becomes 86% of the story with words counting 14%.

Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods.

– Japanese Proverb

A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.

– Danish Proverb

Man is not on the earth solely for his own happiness.
He is there to realize great things for humanity.

– Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), Artist

The fireside is the tulip bed of a winter day.

– Persian Proverb

If you woke up breathing, congratulations!
You have another chance!

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia.

– Charles Schulz (1922-2000), Cartoonist

If you don't have a vision for the future,
then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.

– A. R. Bernard, Clergyman

Humans make mistakes. The real question is "how often do you repeat them?"

The only thing you need to worry about
is striving to be the best you can be.
And how do you do that?
You keep your eye on the goals that matter most in life,
and you move towards them step by step.

– Joseph B. Wirthlin

Have a good year!
Your Publications Committee