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What does this time of year mean to you? Is it a time of
frustration or a time of fulfillment? Maybe the holiday
season is just a secular occasion for you. Maybe it’s a time
of religious significance. Though I recognize there are many
beliefs and celebrations the emphasis is mostly on
Christmas.
Depending on your belief, some challenges are evident –
added expenses and events, black Friday fury, sadness for
what used to be, or memories of loved ones who’ve passed on.
Have you also noticed the giving and compassion that occurs?
For me, the holiday season is far greater than the secular
chaos or the religious emphasis.
Maybe it’s just my focus, but here’s what I see –
Festive lights glowing and creating brightness that convey
hope; holiday music that adds a bounce to people’s step
(most songs); classic animated specials – The Grinch Who
Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Santa Claus
is Coming to Town, and Frosty the Snowman (all of which I
still enjoy watching!) – that remind us to reconnect with
our child-like Spirit and
enjoy life; and the drawing
near the end of another calendar year which invites inner
reflection.
The essence of the holiday season, I believe, is based on
the Universal Spiritual principle or truth – LOVE.
Let me clarify that religious and spiritual are not
necessarily synonymous.
Several years ago I was asked to give a talk on
Spirituality. During that preparation it became very clear
to me that the word Spiritual breaks into Spirit – U –
al(l). Al(l), of course, is inclusive, with no
exclusions. Therefore, no one is excluded when applying
Spiritual principles – not the person you could do without;
not the person of a different belief system, religious
affiliation, nationality, economic status etc; not even the
person who may have wronged you in some way.
This was a profound realization for me. Love, I learned, can
transform anyone –
I am living proof! It
is a Universal truth. That’s what I believe Christmas is all
about – LOVE!
Where there is Love there is a connection to
the core of our Oneness. This is a level that can be
difficult to achieve as in our humanness we often create
interferences. We must do more than give lip-service to the
concept of Love – we must apply it, even in the most
challenging of circumstances.
Therefore, implementing only with people we like or that are
easy to love is not the same as living by the Spiritual
principle of Love. I by no means am implying I
am exceptional at this practice, but as I’m certain you do,
attempt to do my best on a daily basis.
We know we succeed when we move beyond exclusions created
amongst U – al(l). We know we succeed when we
break barriers and transcend differences amongst U –
al(l). We know we succeed when we experience inner
peace, joy, and tranquility beyond words, in spite of maybe
acting contrary to doctrine or conditioned thinking.
What if this holiday season we all dug a little deeper to
connect to that inner core where we are all the same? And
what, if whatever level we achieved during this holiday
season, we maintained after the festivities instead of
letting it subside?
What would happen in your life if the Spiritual principle of
LOVE was your primary guide the whole
year through? How would that affect your family and friends?
Your work environment? Your community? Our country – as well
as others? The world?
The potential of the ripple effect is phenomenal with a
little heightened awareness and a little extra commitment on
all our part. Please join me in creating an extension of the
season for a positive, lasting affect.
Whatever, and however you celebrate the holiday season, may
you, your interactions, and your festivities all be anchored
in LOVE!
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukah! Happy
Kwanzaa!
Shalom – Peace on Earth – Namasté.
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Love is
not blind – it sees more, not less. But because it sees
more, it is willing to see less. -
Julius Gordon
Love is patient and kind, never jealous or envious,
never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or
touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice
when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice,
but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
1 Corinthians 13
Blessed is the season that engages the whole world in
a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright
Mabie |
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KMG Enterprises, LLC
P.O. Box 26927
Phoenix, AZ 85068
Phone: (602)
870-3652
Fax: (602) 870-3653
Website:
www.KarenGridley.com
Email:
Karen@KarenGridley.com
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