In this special Christmas Eve episode, firefighter, EMT, and coach Roy Smalley reflects on what two of the season’s most unlikely heroes — the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge — can teach us about generosity, self-care, and the power of community.
For first responders and anyone whose life revolves around service, it’s easy to pour out until you run dry — to confuse “giving” with “going without”. But these classic stories of Christmas remind us that the heart grows not from deprivation, but from connection.
Scrooge and the Grinch didn’t find joy by giving everything away — they discovered it by sharing life with others. Their redemption stories remind us that even the hardest hearts can soften, and that generosity begins when we make space for renewal.
So between the calls, the chaos, and the wrapping paper, take a minute to recharge your heart. Let it grow three sizes bigger — full of gratitude, courage, and the kind of love that lasts well beyond the holidays.
If you appreciated this episode, check out my recent series “Connection is Medicine”, right here.
Memorable Quote:
“Generosity was never meant to mean going without — it’s about sharing from what fills you up, not draining yourself dry.”
Where to Contact Roy
Instagram: @roysmalley.us
Facebook: @roysmalley.us
LinkedIn: Roy Smalley
All my links in one place: www.roysmalley.us
Invitation to Subscribe
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