Thankful Holidays

Notice how this article is titled Thankful Holidays instead of Happy Holidays?

Eckhart Tolle in the Power of Now says that happiness is based on outer circumstances, whereas peace (and thankfulness) are states of being not dependent on outer circumstances.

The holiday season can be stressful or even painful for some. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's seem to amplify whatever you're experiencing in your life situation. If you are in a new, loving relationship, the holidays seem bright and loving. If you have lost a loved one, or lost a job, the holidays can seem lonely and depressing.

If you are experiencing any type of loss or pain, the holidays definitely don't feel happy or merry. Yet, you can still find peace within the pain. You can still be thankful during tough times in your life experience.

I know that we've all had a time in our life where we had to release something really painful (or even just be in the pain) and upon releasing, something shifted and the Universe just seemed to flow. Often in retrospect, we can look back at that painful situation and realize that something good came from it. Can you recall an experience in your life situation like this?

My recent experience of this was being in a relationship that was completely one-sided. I was giving love and the other person was not reciprocating. I had to release this relationship. It was very painful and lonely. But shortly after releasing this relationship and affirming that I was worthy of experiencing a relationship that was both giving and receiving, I met a wonderful man who is very available to giving and receiving and nurturing a conscious, loving relationship. So, looking back at the pain, I see it as a blessing, because it opened me to receive that which I did want in my life situation.

If you are feeling sad or lonely over the holiday season, I'd invite you to recall a situation in your life that was really painful, but that ended up being a blessing. Write it down. Journal about it. Then see if you can look at your current life situation and know that all is under Divine Coordination. See if you can then even be thankful for the situation, knowing that there is a great lesson to be learned or experience to be had.

I am so thankful for:

• every failed relationship because it taught me how to love myself,
  
• every obstacle because it helped me to think outside of the box,
  
• the set-backs that showed me a new direction,
  
• the broken hearts, that opened me up inside,
  
• the rejections that taught me self worth,
  
• the tears that showed me how deeply I cared,
  
• the losses incurred that taught me that I never really owned anything
  
• the stress that taught me to slow down,
  
• the fear of the unknown that taught me how to live in the moment,
  
• the doubt that forced me to have faith,
  
• the endings that showed me new beginnings,
  
• and the dark night of the soul that showed me the truth of who I am beyond my experiences.

This Holiday Season--whether you feel happy or not--find the blessing in your life situation and connect with that inherent peace of God within.

© Lisa Hepner
Life Channels Staff Writer
All Rights Reserved

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