Follow me, follow you

Only three more days until Christmas, and I was thinking of how stressful it can be to avoid the rush and crush. It can take a lot of energy to try to remain calm, avoiding the crowds, staying out of the way. Then I went to the library. There’s a nice, relaxing, quiet place.

I think too often we are working to satisfy others’ expectations, and not focusing on our own and letting them guide us. When we look to others for stability, rather than inside, we step away from being true to ourselves. Not all the time, of course. Sometimes we come in contact with the right person, and our growth is accelerated by what we learn or how we are treated and cared for. When we are centered and balanced, we are able to recognize and acknowledge this person in our lives truthfully.

It’s when we are reaching for something, moving in a direction we shouldn’t, that we follow the wrong person, get caught up in pleasing them or thinking that what they have to tell us or teach us is what we need to hear, when in fact it’s the opposite. And that closes us off to the voice of the Spirit.

With 3 days to go, are you comfortable with who you are, where you’re going, and what you’re doing? If not, you might want to take stock of your situation.

Peace and happiness this holiday season, and every day of the year.

Christmas in 9

With only 9 days until Christmas, the pressure mounts on those who procrastinate. One thing to keep in mind, (which one of my recent reflections talks about) is that too often we find we are buying presents so that we will appear to be someone we are not (though this may be unintentional or not foremost in our minds). We could be trying to keep up with other relatives and their buying habits, trying to buy the admiration and love of our spouse/children/etc., or just wanting to appear the magnanimous one.

I suggest instead consider who you are – and what gift(s) would reflect you the best. Of course, at this time you’ll also come across the old saying (I’m not sure how old it really is, though), of ‘presence, not presents’, and though this states the obvious about which is more important, I don’t believe it goes far enough.

What else could you do to extend that presence, even with a small present?

Peace, John

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