Our Lady of Guadalupe greets visitors at my door during the Christmas season. She brings the message for all people, to see the miracles they witness in their lives.

We are in the season of joy and illumination. As we enjoy the beautiful decorations, carols, and multiple productions of the Nutcracker (one of my personal favorites), we step out of our everyday lives for a moment and enjoy the magic that December brings.

As a healing practitioner, this year more than any other, I have come to realize that when people are grieving a loss, facing an illness or in recovery, this time of year is not joyful for them. In fact, the increased light we are experiencing, may be illuminating the darkness that they are experiencing. A young man in our community tragically lost his life last week in an auto accident. I was contacted by a close family friend as to what she should say to the family. My answer, “be a presence,  bring comfort with your  actions and ask your angels and his for guidance. “

To be present to each other is so very important. In our age of technology, we sometimes exist in a state of distracted living and relating. As we journey through December and look forward to the new year that is quickly approaching, let all of us commit to being more present to ourselves, those in our families and our entire community.

Being a light to others takes many forms. It can be actualized through prayer, meditation or compassionate action. As holistic practitioners, your gifts of many different modalities and therapies here at Heartwood, bring light and healing to many. I experience tremendous gratitude surrounded by so many gifted and passionate holistic practitioners.

May we carry our spirit of giving and our spirit of peace to the new year that is upon us. Despite the events of the world around us, we must face the future with an even more enlightened perspective. We are called to be love in a world that can be violent and filled with fear.

Let us help others to embrace love instead of fear. As we embrace our own miracles, help others to see the miracles in their own lives and the hope they hold for each of us. In this invocation from A Course in Miracles, we are encouraged to think in this way when we are called upon to help another:

I am here only to be truly helpful.

I am here to represent Him who sent me.

I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do because He who sent me will direct me.

I am content to be whatever He wishes knowing He goes there with me.

I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.