December 1, 2002 PlanetLightworker Newsletter

Dear Lightworkers,

Here we are at the end of another dramatic year. Perhaps not as dramatic as 2001, but nonetheless 2002 was full of events that depressed and frightened. The war on terrorism, the USA’s brinksmanship with Iraq, the Middle East conflagration between Israel and Palestine, Homeland “Security” (in the US), hurricanes, earthquakes, erupting volcanoes, and the continuing dismal future of our ecology are only some of the more notable events. It also seems that a lot of people are dying from natural causes, not to mention bullets and bombs. Ho, ho, happy holiday season.

It seems at first glance, that there is really not a lot to celebrate this December except for the fact that we are still alive, and for many of us, even that may have dubious appeal. In spite of all of this impending (and for some actual) doom, I have a cause for celebration.

YOU

Yes, I mean you. Stop looking around for the person I am addressing. Ask not for whom this suggestion is aimed, it is aimed at thee. This is the time of year in many cultures when we concern ourselves with kids, partners, spouses, relatives, clients, friends, entertaining, being entertained, and going into debt. What can I possibly get Aunt Clarabelle and Uncle Fester this year?

I am not about to suggest that you don’t do all of the things that you usually do this time of the year that ultimately stress and depress you come January if not before. No indeedy – have at it. I am suggesting that you also celebrate YOU. You are a pretty great person even if you don’t believe it.

“Why, little old me? How could you ever suggest that I celebrate myself?”

To begin with, if you really want to take care of others, start with taking care of yourself. Taking care of you is not being selfish; it is being self-full. Fill yourself up first, and then there is plenty of capacity to flow to others. It is when we start with our “tanks” half full that we run out of energy and joy, and what we do for others is out of obligation, and we truly have nothing left to give except resentment. When you are self-full, you can give others what they really want, and that’s not another necktie, scarf, Barbie, or G.I. George.

What might that be?

It is the true essence of who you are: a loving and compassionate being. Strip away the facades, roll playing, obligations, rituals, and the advertising industry’s exhortations that this gift or another is the key to a merry and jolly season. What’s left is you as you are designed to be: full of unconditional love and acceptance. The greatest gift any of us can give another is unconditional love and acceptance whether he or she is a child, parent, co-worker, friend, whoever. In a world that constantly reminds us of our faults, shortcomings, fatness, baldness, agedness, and material shortcomings, having another human say in effect, “I love you (or ‘accept’ if the ‘L’ word is too tough to use) just the way you are who, by the way, is a really great human being.” Wow, what a gift – I’ll take all of those I can get. So, now you know the absolutely greatest gift you could give everyone on your list this year and every year, how does one become self-full?

Probably the formula is different for everyone, but here is a starter kit for your own method:
1. Stay rested. Limit what you do to what you feel like doing based on your energy and interest levels.
2. See if you can “get” the concept that you don’t owe anyone anything. What you give is best given out of the generosity of your heart (even if that is only a smile) and not out of obligation.
3. Take time out for yourself. Truly celebrate YOU. Write down ten great things about yourself, then go do something just for you: a massage, new outfit, book, CD, whatever – remember, this is just for YOU. Forget what others will think. Be self-full.
4. Be grateful for what you have. We all came into the world stark naked, so whatever you have now is more than you started with.
5. And the best… re-member that we are from and of God. The divine is in all of us. Sure we play some strange games with one another while in human form, especially when we wonder, “How in the world can that jerk who aggravates me so much be divine?” Well, he or she is divine, and is giving you a gift by stimulating your aggravation gland because it reminds you to search for that same aggravating behavior inside of you… but that’s another story.

Maybe you will choose to be self-full this season, and perhaps out of that, give the most wonderful gifts that you have ever given, not only to those on your “list” but to everyone that you meet. Have a wonder-filled holiday season.

I unconditionally love and accept you.

Ron McCray
Associate Editor