Here we go. Another holiday season. Another opportunity for us to see how much we’ve grown in the last year.
Families are our trigger. They are the ones that push our buttons and “present opportunities for us to grow.”
I know that sounds like a lot of happy horse shit as my mom would say, but our families really are some of our best barometers to measure how we’ve changed from year to year. If we can look at each member of our family as a teacher, and look at them from the perspective of what are they teaching us about ourselves ie; are we loving and accepting of who they are or critical and judgmental. Do we bring something significant to the relationships or are we one of those people that takes, takes, takes? Are we loving with our words or sarcastic and un-feeling? Are we constantly taking their inventory rather than our own?  That’s what mean when I say they are great barometers for how we are doing.

So many people ask me what they’re here for and the answer pretty much always has to do with healing our souls. Healing our negative patterns, our broken hearts, our anger, hate or resentments. A couple of weeks ago when I was mulching the leaves and putting them around all the perennials for fertilization and winter protection, I was thinking about the process nature goes through every year.  She begins anew in the spring, blossoms in summertime, begins to let go of all that she created for the year and then as winter approaches, she lets go of all that was and rests until her next cycle begins. I was thinking how cool it would be if we followed her example and let go of all the negativity we experienced throughout the year. Said a quick thank you to all the “opportunities for growth” and rested during hibernation period. We would start with a brand new clean slate every spring time. Think of how much better we would feel mentally, emotionally and physically when springtime came.

The other day I was thinking about an acquaintance of mine who is quite overweight and was wondering what might be behind her continual weight gain in spite of all the diets she goes on. My inner voice said that she won’t let go of anything. She’s a saver/hoarder. She has boxes and boxes of things from her past that she can’t let go of, things that happened to her years ago that she can’t let go of and her weight is simply one more thing she can’t let go of. The voice said once she really starts to deal with all of the emotions of the things that happened to her and her un-resolved memories and decides to make a big change in her life by letting the past go, she will begin to lose the weight also. I had never looked at it like that, but that connects with what I was saying in the last paragraph. If we could let everything go from one year to the next and begin anew in springtime just think how things would be different for us.

Cool thought as we move into this hibernation season. This Friday night is MEDITATION NIGHT at the Center which means you come and relax for 45 minutes while I channel a guided meditation for you. It’s a really nice way to end a busy week and begin the week end. It’s from 7-8:00pm. The cost is only $20. We usually serve some kind of treat afterwards and you can shop in our gift shop. We have so many fun things to choose from so be sure to come by if you can. 5356 Chicago Ave. So.

I’ll be working at the Cottage House this coming week end. They are having their big holiday sale and if you’ve never been to the Cottage House during the holidays, the best way to describe it is Christmas on steroids. They do an amazing job every year. Sale runs from Friday to Sunday. 10-6. Address is 4304 Chicago Ave. For those of you unfamiliar with the Cottage, it’s a vintage shop that has a five day sale once a month. You can go on Facebook or their website to learn more about it. www.thecottagehousempls.com.

We are in the process of having The Center open at least one day during the weekends. Check the calendar at www.echobodine.com for the dates.

That’s it for today. I hope whatever you do this Thanksgiving turns out to be a loving fun day with whoever you spend it with. Life is definitely too short to do it any other way.

Till we meet again………………………..