First, let me take this opportunity to give you warmest wishes for the happiest of Thanksgivings and Christmases, as well as a Happy New Year. God bless you and yours with the highest good for each person. Whatever has happened in your world since this time last year, you have to go on believing that this season and next year can be filled with that highest good, with forgiveness where it is so needed of self and others, and with the joy of living each day the very best you can, doing one thing at a time. May your stresses evaporate and peace replace the space in your being that all the stresses sucked out of you.

That being said, attitudes about Thanksgiving (especially gratitude) and Christmas (joy of Life and givingness in all ways, big and small, to ones you care about deeply, whether it is time, effort or helpfulness in all its many forms) actually begin inside of you…the Heart. If you look inside of you instead of outside at all the commercialism, you will find peace in lieu of stress, joy instead of the rush to find the perfect gift–which you may or may not afford–for someone else, the gift of time spent with loved ones and really active listening to what they have to say to you in lieu of forming a response in your own mind–be it defensive, un-asked-for advice, or anything else.

These Holidays will pass so swiftly that you will wonder where the time goes. It is up to you if you incur stresses beyond your imagination or glide with a smile through your days, enjoying this time of year as it was meant to be.

Our rule is as follows for gatherings:

• “A dry crust of bread eaten in peace and quiet is better than a feast eaten where everyone argues. Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife. Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of feasting with strife. Better a bite of dry bread [eaten] in peace than a family feast filled with strife.”

Having said all this, know that your choices will create your reality at this time of year as well as the rest of the year. Choose wisely what is best for you as well as others for these days will pass and soon you will face the challenges of life that the New Year brings.

God bless you and yours during this time of year. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!