Holiday Spirit by Catherine Richardson

What is "holiday spirit"? What does it mean to you? Does it mean "peace on Earth, goodwill toward men"? Does it mean generosity and gift-giving? Does it mean sacrificing for others, so that they may have a happy holiday? Does it mean going into debt in order to give others what you believe they want? Do the winter holidays mean loneliness for you, even depression?

I would like to suggest another meaning of holiday spirit. I believe it is a time to deeply honor yourselves and others. A time to see holiness and divinity in everyone and everything - in all of creation. A time to go inward and honor what's important to you. A time to reach out and tell others how you feel about them. I believe this is the highest way to celebrate the holiday spirit. Not through sacrifice. Not by creating financial hardship or physical exhaustion for yourself; but by honoring and cherishing the beautiful flow of divinity in every living being. By honoring your accomplishments of 2007, and letting go of the year's pain and struggles. By seeing the beauty of being exactly who you are, and exactly where you are. Thank yourself, and thank all the people and events that brought you here. What a beautiful tapestry you weave together!

This is also a great time to set intentions for the coming year. I don't mean resolutions, rules or commandments. I mean simply setting the energy for what you'd like to manifest in the coming year, be it physical health, wealth or whatever you choose. Merely set your intent, and see what happens! You may want to write it down. You may want to visualize it, or even make a visualization board or collage. You may simply want to say a set of affirmations.

I was guided during Winter Solstice to begin saying a mantra 108 times per day, using Hindu prayer beads to help me keep count. (For information regarding the significance of 108, please see http://www.mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php?signify108.) The particular mantra I was guided to say is as follows: "I am financially-prosperous, healthy and at my highest vibrational potential. I am one with God." The next day, a friend approached me about a business venture and, the day after that, the bank called to tell me they were crediting me nearly $100! I'm also feeling better - physically and spiritually.

However you choose to spend the holidays, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season - and consciously create in 2008!

Namaste,
Catherine
www.truthjoylove.com

© 2007 Catherine Richardson