Are You Oscar or Elmo?
Celebrating the win—big or small—because joy is meant to be shared.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
(1 Peter 4:10)
Let’s talk Sesame Street—not just the neighborhood, but a scale I made up to help us reflect on how we interact with others.
At one end of the spectrum is Oscar the Grouch (0)—our inner curmudgeon. He lives in a trash can and thinks everything is yucky. Oscar-mode looks like snapping at others, harboring malice, letting our attitude stink, and becoming a burden instead of a blessing.
At the other end is Elmo (10)—the lovable red monster who welcomes everyone to play and get along. Elmo-mode shows up as kindness, compassion, patience, and humility—a gentle spirit that lifts others up and points them to joy.
We were all made to reflect Elmo—to bless, serve, and shine. The challenge is, we don’t always live there. Most days, we hover somewhere in between, responding to people and circumstances with a mixed bag of emotions.
Moving Up the Scale
So how do we move up the scale? Daily exercise can help. Here's how movement fuels our mood and mindset:
Mood Boost – Releases endorphins and dopamine to increase joy and reduce pain.
Stress Relief – Lowers cortisol, making us calmer and more resilient.
Better Sleep & Energy – Leads to a brighter outlook.
Sharper Thinking – Improves focus, memory, and emotional regulation.
Connection & Community – Group movement fosters trust and belonging.
Confidence & Purpose – Achieving fitness goals reinforces self-worth.
Scripture for the Journey
If you catch yourself acting more Oscar than Elmo, don’t sweat it—just take a step back and let Scripture guide your next moves:
Proverbs 11:25 – “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:29 – “Speak what builds up… that it may benefit those who listen.”
Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others…”
Philippians 2:4 – “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Romans 15:2 – “Please your neighbor for their good, to build them up.”
Let’s move with purpose—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—toward being a blessing. Toward being Elmo.
Have an ELMO-ESQUE week.
Adapted from Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose by Andy Dooley