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

Ancient people knew that there were concentrated energy vortex areas on the earth. At these location, They built sacred temples, cathedrals and monuments such as Stonehenge and The Great Pyramid.

Okay, so you may not have been fortunate enough to travel to those areas yet, but there are many smaller areas of concentrated energy, some of which may be near you.  While visiting those places, you may sense a shift in your energy for the better.

People travel the world to visit high energy locations.  Some consider these areas to be the chakras of the earth.  Just as we have 7 chakras, the planet is also thought to have 7 chakra areas.  In addition, there are many minor chakra areas, just as we have minor chakras in each of our joints.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time in the Mt. Shasta area which is purported to be the location of the earth’s first chakra.  I spent time on Mt. Shasta in Panther Meadows, at Stewart Mineral Springs, and in Dunsmuir.

When you enter a vortex area, you may feel an immediate shift in your energy.  It is very uplifting to spend time there as the energy vibration of the vortex may even create a physical response.

Standing in a vortex and letting the energy flow in and through you can sometimes be overwhelming while at the same time helping you to reduce stress, heal, increase spiritual growth and enlightenment, or just connect you with the heavens. The energy you take in can stay with you and affect you in a positive manner as it helps to strengthen your inner being.

A concentrated energy area is a great place to facilitate prayer, meditation, and healing.  When there, follow your heart and do what gives you joy and peace such as walking, meditating, dancing, singing, chanting or just sitting to absorb the energies.

If you have the opportunity to travel you might consider visiting these energy vortex areas:
Sedona, AZ
Mt. Shasta CA
Black Mountain, NC
The Great Pyramid of Egypt
Lake Titicaca in South America
Machu Picchu, Peru
Glastonbury – Shaftbury, England
Chichen Itza, Mexico

Those of you in the Washington area might want to check out a few local energy vortex areas such as:
The Franciscan Monastery, also known as the Holy Land of America in Washington, D.C.
The National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes near Emmitsburg, MD

If you know of some small vortex areas near you, I would love to hear about them.  Give me a call or drop me an email and let me know what your experiences have been in concentrated energy locations.