No one knows better how to trigger stressful responses in you than your family members. Maintaining your inner peace is often a real challenge at holiday times when you are around family that you haven’t seen in a while.

No matter what your age is now, they expect you to still respond in the same manner to their remarks and antics as you did when you were younger. They don’t understand that you have grown mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. They are comfortable with the “old” you and seek to see that “old” you.

Can you smile at their antics, recognizing their discomfort with change and the fact that they are just reflecting where they are now? Can you honor who they are now with tolerance for they, too, are on their own spiritual path?

You are entitled to the opinion that while your spiritual path is on the “straight and narrow,” theirs is wandering all over the place, but can you respond without making that opinion a judgment? Can you reflect back peace with respect in your voice and manner?

Unconditional love accepts people for who they are. Acceptance does not mean that you aren’t expected to set a better example. People learn by example.

We are all teachers for others, but lecturing and berating others often turns them away. The axiom goes: “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” So, be sweetness and light.

These are some of our challenges as we seek peace within and cultivate true peace in the family and on the planet. Let’s make a plan to help you make it through these holiday times and beyond.

· Remember to do your Grounding every morning and every time you get upset. This will help you to run off your stress and see the world more objectively and less emotionally.

· Do your Brain Balancing every morning so you have the knowledge and wisdom to respond calmly and respectfully.

· Don’t take things personally, because people are really just trying to tell you where they are emotionally.

· Don’t let their drama become your drama.

· Remember, all are on their spiritual path no matter what route they take.

· Set a better example that you want them to follow. Be sweetness and light.

· Accept gifts graciously, because it shows the person was at least thinking of you.

· Set boundaries. This may be the season of giving but that doesn’t mean you have to give in to everyone’s demands of you. Acting out of Guilt is not coming from Love.

· When negativity comes into a discussion, change the subject.

May you find these suggestions helpful in cultivating true peace this holiday and beyond!

If you need to know how to Ground and Brain Balance, go to www.youtube.com/alterra1

Many think that titles or certifications are what matters, but it is only what you radiate from you heart that ultimately makes a difference. For it is written, it is from your heart that the true Source shines through.

If you seek degrees or certification for knowledge, then do so for what you gain to then share with others.  It is different than seeking for the status that degrees or certifications bring to you.  One is ego based and the other comes from the heart.  Many are those with so-called status but few are those fueled by a passion to be of assistance.

Count your day done if you have assisted someone, for it is better to fill your day with being in service to others than in service to self aggrandizement.

The ego mind or the heart, which do you choose?  Judgment is not a product of the heart, of Source, for only observation and love flow from there.

To be in your heart is related to being grounded in your body where you are anchored to receive.

Just BE, but be not in judgment, for as you judge so shall you be judged.  The Universal Law is that you reap what you sow.  Let the Holy Spirit be your guide in all matters of the heart.

You have seen that it is possible to be in a sharing mode but also be in ego and judgment as you make your remarks.  The ego rests secure in the conviction of superior knowledge.  The heart rests secure with what feel right for it, coming from a place of love and observation.

Remember you teach best from example, for others observe how you affect those around you. Those who come from the heart are known and loved for their deeds.

None can ruffle your feathers, anger or frustrate you if you are heart based, for things are what they are.  Seek not to change another, but to observe your reaction to them.  Ever the observer, in the moment, is how to BE.

Observe what triggers your responses and you will know where you are coming from.  Are you coming from an ego “want” or an observant and loving heart seeking perfection within you?