This is an exciting time of year, there's no doubt about it! The bright lights, festive music, the parties and celebrations, the giving and receiving, and even the can't-pass-it-up sales are pulling us into a season that has an energy and life of its own. If you're not thoughtfully prepared, knowing what you want to experience in this last month of 2010, you can find yourself overwhelmed, distracted or worse yet, looking back, taking stock and coming up short.

But wait! This is the season of love; the time you are called to have and hold that special feeling in your heart that is all about "good will towards man". This is the time of year when there is a feeling of lightness and we are on the lookout for magic and miracles. So in a season that runs at a fevered pitch and is supposedly all about others, the way to embody the true spirit of the season is to start with YOU!

There are two ways to experience life, especially at this time of year; as a reluctant observer or as an active participant; an Ebenezer Scrooge or a Tiny Tim. You may feel there is "something in between" but the truth is you are either letting the momentum of this time of year move you with all that has to be accomplished (to be sure everyone is happy and all obligations are met) or you are deciding what this time of year really means to you and are busy creating the traditions you want to enjoy and the legacy you want to be know for.

As a reluctant observer, using your past experiences as the filter to your future, you find yourself running on automatic pilot, repeating past behaviors oftentimes disguised as "traditions". You feel the stress of the season, working so that everyone and everything is taken care of and accounted for, with that long "to-do" list looming and creating angst inside. You may find your current decisions are driven from what you did or didn't do in the past and are in place to alleviate any conflict or emotional discomfort. Truth is, that type of decision making ultimately leaves you unsettled or disgruntled like Ebenezer Scrooge before Christmas morning, experiencing seasonal situations as triggers of anxiety, judgment and disappointment.

What if your goal this season is not to be relieved that you survived yet another holiday, but rather, excited for what it calls forth from you, creating everything you want to experience? What if this year you deliberately decide to be an active participant in this season? This can be the year that your focus and direction is born from wanting to authentically create, enjoy and share the spirit of this season in a whole new way; creating new traditions because they matter to you, celebrating your blessings with others, reaching out and renewing old connections, experiencing child-like wonder in the little details or consistently sharing the joy of the season in ways that resonate with you. Wow, sounds like Tiny Tim!

If this is the year that you are ready to break old patterns, shake up old rhythms and break the habit of how you automatically create, experience and respond to this time of year, what does that require of you? First, get deliberate about what you want this season to mean to you; one old tradition to be repeated or one new tradition to be created. Second, decide what that looks like with respect to commitments, connections and customs. Spend some time with this, knowing that you may feel inclined to just revert to the known path; stay true to you and your new objective. Third, actively seek situations where you can exercise the new intention, attitude and behavior. Play out the scenario first in your mind, then in real time. Fourth, celebrate! This is how you purposefully honor what you now desire!

This is the season of love and while we are in the middle of great change here on the planet we are invited to become responsible for what we add to our life and the lives of those sharing this season with us. It's our time to open up to a tenderness and generosity, to add to those around us. At this special time of year when our hearts are in a receptive state, actively resolve to discover what is of value to you and what you are ready to appreciate, create, share and celebrate this season. May your season be intentionally merry and bright and May God Bless Us, Everyone!