“And sing a chorus or two

Come on, it’s lovely weather

For a sleigh ride together with you.”

(“Sleigh Ride”)

One of the hallmarks of true adulthood is whenever we stop reacting against reality, and start adapting ourselves to it. So often our frustrations with our kids or spouses or coworkers is not with the persons themselves, but with the unmet expectations we had about those relationships: “It shouldn’t have to be this hard!”

But it is.

Ironically, positive acceptance of the seemingly negative reality the first step toward changing that reality for the better. Just listen to the lyrics in the song:

“Let’s take the road before us” (instead of some imaginary path of how it’s supposed to be)

“And sing a chorus or two” (singing, in many ways, is the very opposite of complaining)

“Come on, it’s lovely weather” (if we choose, we can see beauty in everything nature puts before us)

“For a sleigh ride together with you” (reaching out, inviting another to join you is often the best way to face anything)

Here are the three best recordings of “Sleigh Ride”, IMHO:

1. Arthur Fiedler & The Boston Pops Orchestra

2. The Ronettes

3. Ella Fitzgerald

Peace begins with pause,