Tis the Season to be Jolly, Bah Hum Bug

During this time of year, so many people begin to feel down and depressed including myself.

Why is this?

In observing myself and countless others, I find that most people are talking about their lack of time, energy, money and ideas. They are spending money they do not have buying things they don't want for people they do not know. People with families stress over having families and those without families stress due to the lack of one. The list is endless.

All of this thinking and talking of lack produces a mentality which creates angst, stress, frustration and fear. This is quite sad because the reason for celebrating Christmas is to welcome the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords. It is a time for us to open our hearts to the indwelling Spirit of Christ. The Prince of Peace came to shower us with hope, joy, peace and love.

What the world has created is a holiday which stimulates just the opposite.

When I allow life to get me down, I consciously begin focusing on all of my blessings and my life gets better. I do this daily by writing down at least 10 things for which I am grateful. I encourage my children to do this when they go to bed or when they are stressed because of school and other activities. This one exercise can change your life and the lives of many.

A life of gratitude is a joyful life.

Stay in the Now

Lately, I have spent a lot of time in a day, thinking and focusing on happenings from my past and in my future. In so doing, I lost sight on the importance of today and my life filled with angst, worry, and regret. I definitely was not experiencing the presence of God and inner peace and serenity.

Staying in the Now moment is the only way, I have found to return to that peaceful place within myself, where I meet and experience God. When I am feeling peaceful and present in the Now, I am more attentive to those I love and the beautiful love messages from God. This is a practice, it is something I work on daily.

Of course, I have not mastered staying in the Now; however, with the practice of meditation and centering home with my breath, I am able to live more of my day in the Now. This is where the important things of life are born and experienced.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

© 2010 by Becky Benes
www.onenessoflife.com