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Inspiration
(notes from us and our
guests)
Click here to send us your thoughts
December 14, 2007
Celebrating What Truly Counts
The
Perfect Holiday
As the holidays
arrive it is easy to become distracted by our desire for perfection. It might
be the need to craft a festive environment, always be in an upbeat mood, or
simply the desire to find just the right gifts for everyone in our lives.
Even though these things can be positive, if we start putting too much
pressure on ourselves during this season, we are much more apt to forget what
truly is important—celebrating our lives with the people we care about.
For many of us this time of year can stir up a host of mixed emotions. For
example, we might feel a tinge of nostalgia for past holiday celebrations,
when times were simpler, or a sense of being let down due to the unmet
expectations we have for ourselves and others. No matter what our feelings
are, they are likely to be caused by an unrealistic sense of what the
holidays should mean for us. Rather than thinking of this season as a time
for finding the perfect gift or hosting the best party, we can get so much
more out of the holidays if we create a personal inventory of the things that
matter most to us. With each item we add to our list, we can then set the
intention to use this season as a time to consciously rejoice in and express
our appreciation for the blessings we have. The more we are able to let go of
our traditional expectations for the holidays, the more open we will become
to the bounteous spirit that lies within us.
Our true enjoyment of this season will only come from looking within and
reflecting on the deeper spiritual significance the holidays have for us.
Infusing our holiday activities with a sense of gratitude will bring a
greater level of enjoyment to our life and also help us extend loving and
kind energy to all we encounter. It is this spirit that will allow us to
truly celebrate by sharing our greatest gifts—infinite love, peace,
understanding, and joy—with those around us
The Wisdom Of Fear
Anything worth doing will always have some fear attached to
it. For example, having a baby, getting married, changing careers-all of
these life changes can bring up deep fears. It helps to remember that this
type of fear is good. It is your way of questioning whether you really want
the new life these changes will bring. It is also a potent reminder that
releasing and grieving the past is a necessary part of moving into the new.
Fear has a way of throwing us off balance, making us feel uncertain and
insecure, but it is not meant to discourage us. Its purpose is to notify us
that we are at the edge of our comfort zone, poised in between the old life
and a new one. Whenever we face our fear, we overcome an inner obstacle and
move into new and life-enhancing territory, both inside and out. The more we
learn to respect and even welcome fear, the more we will be able to hear its
wisdom, wisdom that will let us know that the time has come to move forward,
or not. While comfort with fear is a contradiction in terms, we can learn to
honor our fear, recognizing its arrival, listening to its intelligence, and
respecting it as a harbinger of transformation. Indeed, it informs us that
the change we are contemplating is significant, enabling us to approach it
with the proper reverence.
You might wish to converse with your fear, plumbing its depths for a greater
understanding of the change you are making. You could do this by sitting
quietly in meditation and listening or by journaling. Writing down whatever
comes up-your worries, your sadness, your excitement, your hopes-is a great
way to learn about yourself through the vehicle of fear and to remember that
fear almost always comes alongside anything worth doing in your life.
Dance
When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing
"dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
Both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
Or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
And gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by 'u" and "i."
"God, 'u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
And I Hope You Dance!!!!!!!
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