Yes, it’s the Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa season, and it’s traditional to give gifts.  So I too am thinking of  “what to buy, what to give.”

This year, as it’s still an era of the necessity of mindful money, as it’s still a bit scarce – I am not spending nearly as much on material gifts as in the past.

This year, I want to give a much more precious gift – the gift of love.  These are some ways I am giving love, increasing love, and receiving love from others and from God.

• Instead of instantly reacting to things I hear that I don’t agree with, I’m stopping, holding my reaction, and considering other points-of-view.
• Rather than get into an argument, I am trying my best to go to a place of love in me, instead of defending myself, or explaining, or fussing.
• If I feel fear or anxiety of any kind, such as fear of the future or old patterns of fear-based beliefs that are programmed in me – I mentally and emotionally luxuriously bathe them in love.  I allow myself some prayer time, and feel God’s love.
• Most of all, I take time to feel the gifts that God gives me all the time.

It is love that is behind the tradition of gift-giving.  It is love that celebrates the birth of God appearing on earth.  It is love that will bring us through any dark or difficult freezes of winter.