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White Christmas Blues

I find this is such a hectic time of year. What can I do to be able to enjoy the holidays more?

Remember that quality is far more important than quantity, so don't feel the need to do so much, or give so much. Just give from your heart, share your love, and do what gives you joy. It can be helpful to make lists in order to make the most of your time. Try to go out in the world at quieter times, such as first thing in the morning, or at dinnertime when less people are out. Remember that your first priority is to enjoy the company of those you love and care about. Do a little bit every day, and take time to slow down and celebrate the beauty of the season.

How can I deal with the loneliness that I feel, especially at this time of year?

When you are by yourself, you are also with yourself and you can be your own best friend. Do kind and special things for yourself that give you joy. Wrap up presents to give to yourself - some of these can be poems, or affirmations, or evens goals you have for yourself. You can make a book of certificates of activities you would love to do over the course of the next year, and give this to yourself as a gift now to redeem whenever it would give you joy to do so. The holidays are also a great time to meet new people because many people have their hearts more open to others at this time of year. You can go to gatherings at community centers, join carolers, or even volunteer with groups who help others in need. Giving to others can also help you feel better about yourself and will have you meeting other like-hearted, giving, caring people who could become your new friends. There are angels everywhere at this time of year, and you can be one of them. If there are times when you find yourself feeling lonely, close your eyes and imagine that there are angels all around you, then let them embrace you with love, and comfort you as they wrap their wings around you. You are never truly alone, you are always surrounded by guides and angels who love you infinitely and unconditionally. You are one with all that is.

I can't seem to get into the spirit of Christmas. Why do I feel so down when everyone else is so excited?

Let it be okay that you are feeling what you are feeling, because judging yourself and resisting your feelings will only cause you to feel worse. Christmas is meant to be a time of peace, joy and goodwill toward others. It is a time of sharing and gratitude for all the blessings we enjoy in life. It is also a celebration of light in the darkest days of the year. Look for the beauty all around you, like the lights and decorations. Try doing whatever little things give you joy, even if you don't really feel like doing them at first, and try to avoid those things that cause you to feel down. Sing your favorite songs, because singing raises your vibration and helps you feel more joyful. Try focusing on all that you are grateful for, because counting your blessings raises your spirits. Also, remember that in the "old days", people usually started decorating on Christmas Eve, not on the day after Halloween or Thanksgiving. Let yourself put the sacredness back into these holidays in your own way and in your own time. Let the spirit move you from within, not imposed on you from outside yourself.

My children want things that I can't afford to give them. I feel like such a failure as a parent. I don't want to disappoint them, what can I do?

Christmas is not supposed to be about how much you give or receive, but about how much love, kindness and joy you share. It is a time to gather with family and friends and celebrate the joy of giving love. The gifts that we give to others are tokens of our love and thoughtfulness for them. The key is to make this time together memorable for what is there, not for what isn't there. What children want most is your time, so try to spend quality time together making memories that will last a lifetime: baking holiday goodies together, or decorating, or caroling, etc., instead of spending all your time running from shopping center to shopping center. Many of the things that kids want, like video games, are extremely detrimental to their health and well-being. As a parent, you can only do your best to do what is best for your children. You may not be able to get them exactly what they are asking for, but you can go to a dollar store or thrift store and load up on similar things. Commercial businesses have turned Christmas into a time of manipulating people with guilt and pressure to put a value on their love. Your love and your time are the most precious things you can give - and they are priceless!

I am of a different religion and I find it really difficult seeing Christmas everywhere. It seems to be getting worse every year. What can I do to deal with this?

Even though there seem to be more and more decorations for Christmas each year, and even though Christmas is a Christian holiday, many of the images and decorations at Christmastime are not necessarily of a religious nature. Many of these images are celebrations of winter and nature, such as snowmen, evergreen trees, snowflakes and reindeer. Santa Claus is not a religious icon either, but represents the "saintly" quality of the joy of giving. There are many values that are shared by most religions, which are represented by the traditions of Christmas. Perhaps you might consider looking for the joy and beauty in what you see around you, enjoying the lights in the evening and the joy on the faces of children. You can take this time also to focus even more on your own traditions, and gather with those who share your faith. You may also choose to extend yourself to explore and accept the faiths of others, not because they are being forced upon you, but because most faiths share basic truths in common, such as loving and accepting one another. One of the greatest wishes that we hold at Christmas is for peace on Earth, which can only come when we love and embrace each other for all that we share in common, as well as for all that we experience as unique and different.

I love Christmas, but I am very concerned about the environment and don't agree with cutting down trees or using up so much electricity, wasting food, wrapping paper and the general commercialism of it. How can I enjoy Christmas when it makes me feel so upset?

You can choose to be creative and resourceful, without expending the natural resources of the Earth. You can make fabric gift bags, which are reusable every year. You don't have to have a real tree, or even a fake tree, you can choose to decorate a large houseplant and make that look very festive. You can use lights that don't use much electricity, like the new LED lights, or you can use candles, but you must be careful not to leave them unattended or you will put a great deal of your own precious resources at risk! After a windstorm, you can go around your yard, your neighborhood or nearby parks to collect fallen branches, and you can use these to decorate your mantle, or fashion them into a makeshift tree. You can make gifts, or bake gifts. You can get together with many like-minded friends and loved ones to share a large meal, then enjoy the leftovers or share them with others who are less fortunate. You do not have to buy into the commercialism of Christmas in order to celebrate the traditions of Christmas. You can enjoy all that you choose without it costing you or the Earth very much. You can create a green Christmas that inspires others and might even set a new trend! Just remember, joy is the key - enjoy whatever you choose in your own way, then spread this joy, because that's what Christmas is really all about.

How can I stop feeling so guilty for having so much at Christmas when there are so many people who have so little?

You can choose to give and share of your time and of your bounty. You can give money or volunteer with various charities; you can give toys, clothing and food to various causes in your community, or even to those causes who distribute such things abroad. Do whatever makes you feel like you are making a positive contribution and a difference to others so you can feel good about yourself. Even more importantly, enjoy all that you have, and feel grateful, not guilty, for it. Guilt is an energy of pain and suffering, and there is far too much of this already in this world. Christmas is a time of celebrating joy and gratitude. These emotions create a very high frequency of energy that heals this planet and feeds the Universe. Not enough people on this Earth really feel joy and gratitude, even though there is so much to feel grateful for. It is ironic that the poorest people on this planet are often the most joyful and the most grateful. So give and share because it gives you joy to do so, not because you feel guilty. Then really let yourself enjoy all that you have in your life to feel grateful for, and let this Christmas be a true celebration of giving, receiving and sharing love, joy and peace.

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