I haven’t seen it yet this year, but I know it will be coming soon.

It’s the commercial I remember seeing every holiday season since I can remember, and the one that truly puts me in the Christmas spirit.

I still cry when I see it, like I’m seeing it for the first time. Maybe it’s just such a strong reminder of my childhood and those glorious days of believing and innocence.

Do you know what it is yet? This 30 second gem from Eat ‘n Park:

In 30 seconds, they manage to make so many messages clear, that it’s honestly genius. I wish I could have been a part of this advertising team. Did they have ANY idea what they were creating so many years ago? A classic, a commercial that elicits emotion no matter what your age.

The messages in this commercial are great ones to live by every day, and here’s my take on one of my favorite little pieces of Christmas.

Believe that anything is possible. The star relays this as she bravely decides shes’s going to get on the top of that tree. And in life, this message is one we are told when we are young, but often forget as time moves on. We let outside influences ruin our image of “we can be or do anything” and we lose a little bit of that hope with each passing year.

Never give up. Even though the star knows the treetop is too high for her, she keeps on trying, knowing that sometimes it’s just that one little extra push that will make it all happen. We’ve all done things we never thought we could do. We have to remember that inner strength and that passion when we need it most.

Know your purpose. The star knew she belonged up on that tree and set her sights on that goal. We were all put here for a purpose and for some of us, we know what it is almost instantly, for others, it may take a lifetime. But we will find it. And when we do, we should embrace it and share it with the world.

Trust in others. When the tree so graciously bends down to pick up the star, who is almost crying on the ground, if you look closely, we feel an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness. When we are at our lowest point, when we think we have nothing left to give, the impossible happens. Whether the strength comes from a family member, a friend, God,  we will be lifted up, just like the star, and we will move forward. At Christmas, everyone is a bit nicer to one another and the world acts how it should act year round. I wish we could keep that spirit longer.

Shine. The star shines in the literal sense, but we learn to shine in a different way. We must find what makes us happy, what brings us love and peace, and use that energy to shine as a person, as a parent, as a friend, as a spouse. If we all focused that kind of positive energy in our everyday life, wouldn’t things be easier?

If I think of myself as the star, then for me, writing is my “tree.” It lifts me up when I need lifting, and it’s where I am supposed to be in my life. It’s what I am supposed to do. I’m thankful that I’ve found my peace, and I wish for all my readers that you find yours this holiday season, or anytime, and shine on for many years to come.