As I shuffled in my slippers across the deck into my writing cottage this morning, it is dark as dawn slowly finds its way through the windows at its own pace.

Two candles I light as a way of inviting Spirit to be with me and opening myself to whatever message it is I need most to hear for the day.

My angel statue holding a heart in her hands — for those I love dearly and hold near to me just by my thoughts of them.

My stones of words that are reminders of how I want to live my life.

A rainbow tree drawing from a friend in the corner with a saying I’ve read each and everyday since I’ve gotten it:  “Peace comes with learning to let go and just be present.”

I find my way to my computer to play some soft music – Christmas tunes this time of year.

As I take my prayer stance before I begin my yoga practice I glance at the altar before me.

Many days messages and thoughts come to me that are gifts for my day.

Today I heard my Christmas message in my thoughts as I took in each word on my stones–

Pause. Capture. Listen. — to the sounds of the season upon us.

Pause to see what is right before you in this moment and reflect on memories that brought you here to this present time, wiser than you were before.

Capture each sound. Capture each emotion. Capture each feeling. Capture each heartbeat in your chest as a reminder of how precious life is.

Listen for the church bells that ring, the laughter of children giddy with excitement, the whisper of snow that falls to the ground, and the sleigh bells in the distant of a horse carriage ride.

Just. Be. You. — sometimes holidays can be challenging with family dynamics, but remind yourself to be you… magnificent, beautiful you. There is no one like you. The gift of you is important and needed.

Peace comes with learning to let go — forgive yourself for anything you feel you didn’t do well. Let go of what you can’t change. Find peace for what was and what will be.

Joy — my favorite message of all for the abundant meaning of it contained in just three letters. Joy for the moment. Joy for the day. Joy for my life and all its many blessings. Joy for this magical season called Christmas.

Through my yoga poses I move with extra grace as if touched by a fairy dusting of love, peace, and joy that fills my heart full up and as my cottage magically becomes brighter with what can only be the holy Spirit shining its grace upon me.

I give thanks for this Christmas message from you dear Spirit.

Namaste.