Especially in the colder seasons, our days can seem kind of bleak and drab. Maybe that's why late fall to early winter were chosen by people living in the temperate and frigid climate zones of the northern hemisphere for celebrating the beauty, spirituality, generosity, and drama of Christmas and other festive occasions that may be filled with costumes, warmth, music, food, dance, lights, camaraderie, and the swapping of brightly colored cards and presents.

One way folks in our era renew the upbeat, outgoing, charitable sides of their natures at this time is through watching a wide assortment of best loved Christmas films.

• Decide to make this life a little bit nicer place for others.

• And face your own shortcomings.

• Existence is often dark and scary, but do the right thing, even if there may be risk to oneself.

• Redemption is important, for everyone sooner or later needs a second chance.

• Generosity and compassion, not miserliness, are key.

• The true winner leaves things a bit better for her or his having been alive.

• Happiness does not depend on having more material well-being than anybody else.

• Transformation happens.

• True heroes are not perfect beings but ordinary folks with warts who rise above personal limitations to do the right thing.

• Failure may not be what you think, nor success either.

• Treat friendships as precious.

• Despite missing out on most everything he thought was important, someone very much like us can become "the richest man in town."

• Comedy is seldom unwelcome and can lift most everyone's mood, often when such levitation is needed most.

• Given half a chance, most everyone becomes genuinely caring and giving.

• Along with similar forms of putting others' needs ahead of our individual ones, volunteering - and not just with money but of ourselves - can help keep alive the spirit of Christmas through the rest of the year. It can also be a great way to forget our personal disappointments and rediscover why life is worth living.

• As Clarence, the "It's a Wonderful Life" angel, said: "Each man's life touches so many others' lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"