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

After a time the mind yields to the pull of the heart strings.  Life is truly awakened and the force to move forward is great.  Let your heart by your guide for the heart is true and always carries the spark of Source of Divine Will.  Your true heart’s desire will not steer you wrong.

Adornments are features of the Magpie, ever searching for treasure.  Man has become like this, extremely searching for the spark which only lies within.  Light your fire from the spark within and feel the gifts of Source- Love, oneness, connection to all you could ever seek and more.

Here lies the joy of knowing that all is within your grasp for it has already been provided for you.  Take that leap of faith and reach out to see what you are able to grasp without artifice.

What is done for the greater good outweighs that done for the self.  The needs of the whole outweigh those of the individual who no longer pines for things for themselves
Possession is no longer the guiding force.  Contentment and peace abide as you become part of the flow of abundance and not one who grasps for the flow out of false needs of gratification.

Now you see how your possessions control you and keep you from moving with the flow of oneness and Source.   The needs of the whole outweigh those of the individual.   More stuff does not fulfill the void of love but fuels a craving that is never satisfied and continues to rule over your peace and happiness.

How much can you do without to become part of the flow from Source?  You are the flow if you do not fear lack but only see that all are provided for.

Open yourself to the peace within.  The simple life requires less maintenance on stuff and more time for self mastery.

Why is it only the elderly see the benefits of less stuff to maintain which has no meaning for the self?  How do you contemplate your possessions?   Does the care and maintenance take up too much of your time or nag at your thoughts and disturb your peace?

The peace is within.  That is your only treasure.  It requires no care and feeding for it is true peace. How much are you willing to let go of to get down to the functional?  The fewer items you possess that need maintenance, the greater the ease of the day.  Do all the things fill your heart?  If you lack Love, seek it within.