Holiday Healing

The holidays can be a wonderful time for feeling love, but also a time when old patterns or hurts show themselves, family and relationship dynamics brought to a head in ways that induce stress, pain, anger, or resentment. For many, the holidays are the most difficult time of year due to the emotional turmoil, financial burdens, and other factors.

From the emotional standpoint, I would like to suggest that if you have such issues, you approach them from a different light, understanding that this is an opportunity to examine them for what they are (usually fear or control-based roots) and release them in love. You may not even have to venture into discussing it with another, simply go within yourself, simply sending love, healing, and forgiveness for any past issues. Imagine yourself, another, or the situation surrounded in white light and ask God and angels to release you from its clutches so that you can become all that you are meant to be (perfection) and live according to your true purpose in this life. If you are ready to move forward, proclaim that, surrender to it, and release any baggage that you may be carrying (your own baggage or that of another).

I believe you will be amazed at the difference this practice makes in your holidays and the surrounding conditions. If you take this approach, you will negate the negative to allow for a positive resolution, or perhaps even a miracle that transcends and heals all around it. In living love and joy, you will bring the true Christmas spirit into your life, and lay a foundation that will carry you into a new year ready for a new beginning.

Peace, love, light, and joy to the world at this special time of year.

Let Nature Be Your Guide

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. -Anne Frank

Anne Frank was a wise soul who, at her young age, knew and understood more than most people ever do. In this quote, she shows a deep understanding about how to really get close to God, how to feel peace. In our culture, we often think that we need to go to church to get closer to God, to be in a cathedral or sanctuary to find peace and feel the connection to Him. Or we think that we will get more spiritual connection through a structured meditation practice, yoga or other avenue. While all these things may give us a good feeling or facilitate a connection, no cathedral or sanctuary can quite match God's own cathedral - the masterpiece of nature; no practice quite bring about what is at our disposal outside in this wonderland.

This past week, my home in Asheville was covered with a beautiful deep white blanket that made time stop for a bit. Walks outside, with few automobiles making noise, left a peace and quiet that was heavenly. The crunch of snow, the cold air, and the picture postcard beauty was like touching God for a moment.

One of my favorite things about Christmas has always been how quiet it is - how the world stops for a day. The love that is spread on this day is magnified by the absence of noise to get in the way. I believe the energy of the angels and heaven can get through to us more easily because of this quiet peace. Take a walk in nature this Christmas, or better yet, every day of this Christmas season. Be alone with the heavens, nature, and God, just as Anne Frank spoke of. The answers to your prayers or solutions to your problems may very well be there, waiting for your discovery. Be thankful for this most wonderful gift, that keeps giving to us all year, and is always there for our spiritual interaction. By appreciating nature, you will find more in your life to appreciate.

May God bless you during this holiday season!

Purposeful Giving: Give What You Wish to Receive

Give, and it will be given unto you. (Luke 6:38)

During this season of giving, we are provided with an opportunity to be thoughtful in what we give to others. In our commercialized society, gift giving, like much of our lives, has become about things. The giving process becomes more about obtaining the right purchase for each person on our list...the holidays about decorating our homes in certain way, often adding stress to already over-committed lives. As is often the case, the Universe provides us with circumstances to help us learn and grow if we choose to do so. At this particular time when finances are tough for many, we are provided a wonderful opportunity to remove ourselves from the need to exchange excessive monetary gifs and become more contemplative in our sharing, giving in ways that are more meaningful to both the giver and the receiver.

It is a powerful spiritual approach to give that which we wish to receive for ourselves....if you wish to receive forgiveness, give forgiveness to another...to receive healing, help another to heal...to receive patience from others, be patient with another. You will soon learn that your needs are fulfilled, or even that the things you thought you needed to receive from others were within you all the time. In that act of giving it away, we reconnect with what we already had.

For those with financial concerns or who are seeking less financial stress, this process of giving gifts from the heart rather than the wallet provides a gift within itself...if you wish for financial relief, give it to yourself by resisting the temptation to make the holidays about monetary purchases or giving more stuff. In taking this new approach, you will likely see both the financial relief, as well as the gift that comes from giving something deeper, from sharing a more spiritual gift...a gift of time, of love, and one that will be far more meaningful than anything at the shopping mall.

Take a calmer approach to the holidays, think about what you can give from your heart, and feel the peace that follows.