The First Lesson

Santa’s origin story isn’t magic. It’s a mis-step. He’s young, trying to look older, trying to feel like he belongs in a world that’s moving faster than he is. So he sneaks a cigarette. One drag. Instant regret. Coughing, eyes watering, pride folding like cheap wrapping paper. He puts it out and walks back inside smelling like trouble.

And that’s when the Naughty and Nice list stops being a gimmick and turns into a philosophy. Not because he became a saint overnight. Because he learned the simplest rule early, the one a elementary principal once told me (thanks Jim Daley) and every kid should get on a loop: “If you make good decisions, good things happen. If you make bad decisions, bad things happen. That’s pretty much how it works for the rest of your life”. Santa just turned it into a job title.

This sits in Malcolm Liepke territory: intimate, close-cropped portrait energy, moody color fields, and that old-master echo—Sargent’s bold confidence, Velázquez’s hush, Degas’ knack for making a private moment feel like a whole plot.

Mini art lesson: contrast is emotion. Soft skin against rough coat. Calm background against that hot ember. When opposites sit side by side, the story gets louder without adding a single extra prop.

Send this to the friend who needs the reminder: good decisions, good things. Bad decisions… well, you know.