READING: Reflection - Searching for Purpose...with Father Christmas & the Snowman (Christoper Stokes)

This is the 3rd book by the same author. 

The story brings us through the journey on how to see our purpose of life, in particular, through helping others. It's a simple story.

It focuses on the "how" - to learn our own's worth through looking inward and learn what we can do, from which, hence the value proposition that we could offer to others. Despite sometimes, we may lost an arm or leg, in exchange the impact this offer could make such a difference that could be intangible (e.g. happiness), which we might not have imagined. 

Like other stories (from the same author), the story begins with a character that's pretty lost - in this case, the snowman, who is also filled with wonder and fear, wondering the purpose of (its) life, and the fear of melting... focusing on something that one could not do anything... 

There are some comforting dialogue moments that make me ponder a while:

• When the snowman commented "But ice and snow are cold... why do I feel so warm?" and Father Christmas' replied "Because you are special... because you were also made with love"
• "Because it is easy to be kind... kind people are the best kind of people." said Christmas Father
• "One candle alone may not be bright enough... but many small things together can make a big difference" explained Christmas Father on why the candle lights held by the carol singers could guide us through the storm.
• "A dying candle is no cause for concern... so long as you have a spark do reignite the flame" 
• "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"
• "One of the greatest joys in life is being able to lift others up, and share our happiness," replied the fairy when she offers to lift the snowman to the top of the Christmas tree.
• "It is in the greyest skies that we can truly appreciate the beauty of the snowflake"
• "I get just as much happiness from giving, as I do from receiving" said the Christmas Fairy
• "Christmas should be about the time we spend... and not how much we spend" a wise comment from Father Christmas
• It was quite heart warming when the snowman offers the reindeer his carrot nose and commented, "I don't have much to give... but Christmas has taught me that you don't have to be rich to be generous"

Some important sayings (lifted from the story) - wise words from "Father Christmas":

1. Helping those in need is the most precious gift of all
2. Sometimes even those who we love must leave us... because the love they once gave you, will never leave you
3. Stop worrying about what is to come, and focus on what we have now
4. Focus on what makes you happy, rather than what you fear
5. Life is shorter than we'd like but it's what we do with the time we have, and not the amount of it that truly maters (i.e. when the snowman expressed the fear of melting.) 
6. Being brave enough to try something new is the only way of knowing (i.e. when the snowman was encouraged to try the candy which it had never tasted before, and it discovered it like candy very much - no regrets for trying!) 
7. We can't prevent change... but can learn to adapt to it
8. A strong heart and a determined mind can make anything happen
9. If we encourage ourselves not to give up, the toughest times have a way of leading us to the best moments
10. It's usually once we've lost something, that we appreciate how important it was
11. Spend your time doing something rather than wishing you were doing something
12. One of the greatest joys in life, is found in the discovery of who we are
13. Sometimes, even the wrong track can lead us to the right place (i.e. when the snowman wondered what if they board the wrong track)
14. Good things often take time (when both board a slow train where they could admire what they see along the way)
15. Being kind should be everyone's purpose
16. Being hopeful is often the best way of finding clarity

"I think I am here to be kind... and I am here to be hopeful... and I am here to be happy."

"Your purpose is a gift"

Having read all three books by the same author, it's interesting to see how 2 characters could have just narrated some simple yet deep values of life - with one who's wise and one who wonders...