Julie's Holiday Message

When we were children, we celebrated Christmas for 3 days. On the 23rd, Santa arrived at our house earlier than all the rest. Afterall, how could he get "everywhere" all in one night. There was always one package with a special hand-made Christmas dress. Of course, it was to be worn for the Christmas Eve program at church celebrating when Jesus arrived as a babe in a manger.

I remember we always received a bag of peanuts and candy after the program. Then off to Grandma & Grandpa's house. Oh, what heavenly smells, lots of packages, 30 plus family members and up until all hours of the night playing with the cousins.

The following day (Christmas Day) was held at the other grandparents... more food, gifts to open and special traditional memories.

Today, some 50 years later, my heart grows tender with those childhood memories, the love we shared and the simplicity of it all. As we grow older, and especially with today's financial strains, we say, "Christmas is for the kids." But is it really?

More than any other year, this year I felt the Spirit of the child in my grown-up body. So many have said, "Christmas is not about opening presents, it's more about opening our hearts - sharing our inner gifts." As so many have experienced the financial, emotional, social and physical traumas during 2008, I believe that statement has touched more lives than ever.

When we share from a child-like, non-judgmental, carefree heart, we realize the very special gifts that are around us every day of the year. In this message, I share these gifts with you from under the tree:

• The Gift of Love - Unconditional Love - the one where a heart keeps on giving love, NO MATTER WHAT.
• The Gift of Understanding - being mindful of varying beliefs and no one person or group is right or perfect.
• The Gift of Tender Kindness - always thinking first before speaking - not spitting out cutting, harmful words.
• The Gift of Belief - anything is possible, WHEN we believe it is - WHEN we feel the results before they appear.
• The Gift of Success - the realization of all you purposefully intend in 2009.

Remember, Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind. Likewise the upcoming year of 2009 IS a state of mind. How one thinks, feels, acts & reacts will surely harvest the crop of the seeds that are being planted every moment of every day. Choose the quality and quantity of the upcoming crop harvest. You are the master of YOU. You are the creator of your own circumstances.

May the miracle of this Holiday season fill your heart with warmth and love. Merry Christmas & a VERY Happy New Year!

Julie

PS. For those of you who heard about Glenn's close encounter with death back in August due to Legionnaire's Disease.... He is doing much better - still a few residual affects with strained breathing and loss of muscle tone, but it sounds like some of that damage could be permanent. We are grateful to have him with us this holiday season!