The holidays are upon us. For many of us, this means hurried last minute shopping and making sure we have menus planned and ready to go. Here’s who I hope you consider this season: YOU.  Include yourself on your list – give yourself these gifts: stillness and peace.

My readings lately have all been dove-tailing around the same lessons: choices, and options to love. Last week was no exception. We had an historic election in the USA, and many folks have responded with fear or contraction, and some with righteousness.  What we all have, though, is an option to love.

A few weeks ago, I saw on old high school friend at Trader Joes. He said he was picking up something to share while watching the presidential election debate. He then laughingly asked me, “I wonder if we are on the same side?” I replied, “You mean, the side of wanting peace and love for all? I bet we are.” He laughed again, nodding, “Yep, same side.

Did you know you are co-creating your world? Yes, it’s true! You are a co-creator in your world. How things are is due, in part, to how you look at the world.  In A Course in Miracles, it teaches:Your thoughts determine the world you see.

I have a fair amount of couples in my counseling practice.I hear what they focus on. I hear what so many of us focus on: things that aren’t working. When our couples counseling sessions start, partners can list fairly easily what they hear each other complain about. It’s harder for them to know what has been working.

How are you at giving and receiving love? This is our only real task on earth. Being loving to yourself and to those around you is kinda hard if you are saying negative things to yourself about yourself.