I have really felt the Christmas spirit this year. After several years of intense growth I feel as if I’m coming into a new and greater experience of the love from within. I feel that light glowing these days. The more I surrender to life and to my own heart, the more miraculous life becomes.
I went up north last weekend to enjoy a beautiful unplanned day. As always I pray to have a day filled with love and Presence. I pray to feel the light of God from within. I pray that all my interactions with others be loving, and I pray that I can be a beacon of light for others, and open to receive God’s love as well. Then I take a deep breath, and open to the adventure of another day…
To make a long story short, I was driving through town when I saw a yard sale sign. That inner presence, that lives far beyond anything material told me to turn, and enjoy the journey. So I went to the yard sale and to my great delight found my first real leather cowboy hat and a vintage leather jacket for less than the price of a nice dinner! I jokingly call it my Christmas present from the angels.
Next up was a walk along the creek. I looked like “red riding hood” in a beautiful red wool cape that the angels guided me to find at another thrift store the week prior. Because of that bright cape I started chatting with some delightful people on the trail who stopped to comment on it. I shared some information they had wished for and they inspired me with their joy. Once again I found myself in awe of the deep connection that comes so quickly when we are guided towards each other with open hearts.
The day continued to be a joyful dance with spirit and all I encountered. I sat on a red rock by the roaring winter creek and dissolved into the Oneness, feeling its eternal flow through my body and soul. The sky was such a deep blue even the puddles glowed like sapphires with its reflection. Animal prints in the mud reminded me of all the sweet beings who don’t know holidays but for whom every day of life is a holy day. My heart was full.
I came home to a house twinkling with lights and smelling like the peanut butter cookies I baked the day before. Beautiful music echoes throughout. I look forward to my annual dinner with those I love…
Although the holidays are dip into the delights of the material universe, none of the seasonal beauty begins in the outside world. It is only an expression of what we find within.
Especially during the busy holidays, I take time every day to sit, breath, receive, and feel the love that wants to wash through every one of us. When I am upset, I let myself feel until love arises like water washing through a muddy pipe. When I’m happy I share it. In this fashion, the holidays become a joyful celebration and an outer expression of the love we strive to find and feel all year long.
Here are some pointers to truly and deeply experience the light and love of the season…
1. Remember it is all about the love
While decorating, baking, gifting, caroling, lighting candles, and enjoying traditions are outer expressions of the holidays, the real joy is found when we connect with the love beneath it.
Bless the presents you give and pray that the receiver feel the intent behind them. Pray over the food you prepare and ask that it nourish hearts and minds. Don’t just write cards, tell people you love them and why.
If you spend the holidays alone, gift yourself with this love. Prepare a good meal for yourself, or indulge yourself in a day of comfort and peace. Read a good book. Take a sweet walk in nature. Watch a good movie. Treat yourself as kindly as you’d treat one you loved and do for yourself what you’d do for another. Love needs no external object to be experience and expressed.
2. Give outside the box
While we love to share with family and friends, there are many others in need of love, and many ways to share with those outside your personal sphere. There are programs where you can write letters to the military overseas, programs where you can gift a child in need, share food with charities. I like to bake cookies for the folks that help me all year round – the dry cleaner, the postal workers, etc..
Remembering those who might not otherwise be remembered so easily connects us with the love within. Giving to those we don’t know well reminds us we are all one family.
3. Receive Your Present from the Angels…
Some time during the holidays, take time to sit, breathe, receive. Imagine as you breathe, this light that lives within us all grows brighter and stronger. It spread through you, warming, informing, and healing every cell in your body. It purifies your thoughts, and begins to emanate from you, filling your body, your mind, your life, and the world with its light!
Merry happy blissful holidays to all of you. You are a gift in my life!
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