"Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it."
 - Ernest Holmes -

Being a sentimental snow bird until a few years ago, spending Christmas afternoon on Muir Beach was a totally new experience for me, unlike any holiday tradition I entertained in my life.  As I hiked along the rocky shoreline enjoying the incredible weather, the teasing play of the Pacific Ocean, and the gorgeous colors of late afternoon, I did my share of reflecting . . . reflecting about my life, this holiday season, and what it's bringing forward for me.  I feel incredibly blessed.  And I realize today's experience didn't happen by chance.  My thoughts made it so.

Whether the celebration marks Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Solstice, Christmas (fill in the blank), I'm struck by how many people, year after year, find the holidays stressful, depressing, and downright exhausting.  I can't help but wonder what thoughts and beliefs people hold and project onto this time of year to have life reflect back days filled with draining, over-the-top busyness.  So many of us find ourselves daunted by mile-long "to do" lists and off-the-charts spending of two of our most desired resources - time and money.  Sometimes we seem to forget we have a choice in the matter.

In this season marking creation, light, devotion, reflection, peace, joy, sharing, community, giving, receiving, and life's many wondrous gifts, what thoughts are you holding about how you want your life to look?  What do you see when you look in the mirror?  Are you excited and energized by what you see or is it time to change some of the images? 

Take some time this week to really look at what your life is reflecting back to you, paying close attention to what, if anything, needs adjusting.  As the thinker, your thoughts are the beginnings of what you create and experience in your life.  What you think in this moment will have everything to do with what you experience in the next, and so on.  As you bring this year to a close and step into 2007, formulate in your thoughts what's next for you.  Have those luscious imaginings be filled with what you want, and remember you can just leave the unwanted stuff completely out of the picture.

In the words of Three Dog Night . . . . "Joy to you and me."

Gail