At this holiday packed-time of year, we so easily share festive greetings. It goes without saying (love a good play on words!) for many of us...as if the words simply float from our mouths whether we are full-on celebrants of the holiday season or merely politely joining in the messages of seasonal good-will. Certainly now is a time when people feel far more open to share seasonal greetings freely with loved ones, service people, and delighted strangers. We open ourselves up to utter our caring wishes and gratitude for people in ways we very often don't during the rest of the year.

Why now? Why not everyday? What keeps us from communicating our wishes to others year-round? What sparks a 'yes' in us to join in the merriment, when so often we edit our words, conserve our goodwill, and limit our connections? How come at one time of year we welcome eye-contact, smile fully, and touch people's hearts with simple words of joy?

I'm suggesting turning the table. Ready to hear my challenge? If the holiday season is when people gleefully greet each other, how can we make it a year-round practice? What warm wishes of care for other human-beings can we share each and everyday? I am proposing 'evergreen' wishes, so to speak - ones that are season-less, stand the test of time, and are universally embraced void of dogma, jargon, and innuendo.

Growing beyond a sly 'Hi!', moving deeper than a mere 'Hello', and possessing more meaning than the casual use of 'How are you?' without even waiting for the requisite hollow auto-pilot response of 'Fine, thanks. How 'bout you?' Let's greet deeper!

I am curious what your preferences are. How do you currently tend to greet people 'out-of-holiday-season'? What stand-by phrases are your 'default mode'? How do you jazz up your greetings to make them memorable?

One of my favourite joys is catching people off-guard. Avoiding the easy-does-it-auto-pilot chit chat greetings, I tend to go for the thought-provoking-stun-into-silence approach: 'What makes your life sparkle?' 'What brings joy to your heart?' 'What's your intuition whisper to you?' I love the tongue searching responses that follow a few seconds of double...even triple...side-glances accompanied by a thought or spoken: 'What did you just say???'

So, what are some sayings that we can collaboratively create and share to use everyday? By doing so, we have the co-creative influence to bring joyful wishes into people's lives today, tomorrow, and everyday. We can shift the warmth of a person's day without any holiday to remind us of our humanity. We can authentically greet each other at a deeper level of genuine care and compassion. We can choose greetings that open our hearts and receive love in return. How do you greet each person each day? Start with...how you greet yourself each morning? How do you greet each day?

To get started, how about a few affirmation greetings: I am better for knowing you. I blossom in your love. I expand with each word of your wisdom, faith and willingness. I sparkle in supporting you, and in receiving your support in return. I hum with the warmth of your friendship. I shout out: You rock!