Winter Solstice, Chanukah, Christmas,..... this is the time of year when we celebrate the season changing to longer days known as the Festival of Lights. Lights on the Menorah, Lights on the Christmas trees, Lights of the Yule log,....
Light symbolizes the birth of longer days ahead as well as the light of goodness in our hearts. This time of year we gather around loved ones and give gifts to show we appreciate them. Some of us donate our time to organizations that help feed and clothe the homeless and offer solace for those who are suffering from depression and mental illness. No matter what religion we may follow the messages are the same. Take care of and love each other. The message of the 'Spirit of Christmas' is clear. Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men. Simply put and easily understood- we simply take care of each other. We begin with ourselves learning patience, acceptance (tolerance) compassion, forgiveness and loving-kindness. Regardless of how we are raised we all come to a point in adulthood where we realize that in order to make this a better world we must begin to forgive others for their weaknesses or ignorances. We do this by being mindful of how we speak to ourselves, how we speak to each other, how we practice forgiveness and walk in gratitude. In Mindfulness meditation we become aware of our thoughts and are mindful of which thoughts we allow to remain part as our behavior and which thoughts can be replaced with something that outwardly effects our world in a positive way. Being mindful of how we respond to each other with rational thought rather than reacting with emotion, mindful of how we taste the food we eat and give thought to the farmers, the rain and sun and the seed from which it came, mindful of how we treat our planet when we get in our cars to drive and how we might produce less waste to recycle, all begin with learning how to be mindful. Like anything else it takes practice. So developing a 5,10 or 30 minute practice of meditation each day just to quiet the mind and learn to let go of thoughts that create tension in our bodies which can lead to tension in the world is a easy first step to creating the positive day we will walk in. And from that we add to the positive day the people we meet and interact with may have and so forth. Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men is created by us. And Mindfulness is a simple but powerful way to begin the process of creating such a world. *Joanie Lane is a Meditation Teacher, Reiki Master/Teacher, Spiritual & Life Coach, and Healing Movement Qigong Leader. She lives in Kelseyville, Ca. at her meditation center "A Positive Light". For more information visit her website at apositivelight.com **These are original writings by Joanie. Any quotes by others that have been included have been identified.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |