Holiday time is often family time - an occasion in which you're surrounded by relatives, some with whom you feel comfortable, and some not so. During these times, you may hear views that do not match your own, and even opinions that are strong-willed or pushy. At these times, do your best to show respect, but remember always that your own views are valid and worthy, even if others can not hear them. Ways to deal with others' zealous opinions are:

1. Listen respectfully and repeat to them what you've heard.

2. Change the subject gently but firmly.

3. Tell them that they have a right to their opinion, but that you'd rather not talk     about this subject right now.

4. Nod, listen, and as soon as possible, leave and talk to someone else.

5. Nod, listen, and as soon as possible, leave and talk with God, hug yourself, and pray for their awakening.

6. Tune out their opinions as best you can, and instead, find something to compliment them for.

7. Stick with easy topics which do not call for debate.

The list is endless - see what other ideas you can come up with and share them on the Facebook Loving Heart Connection page.

Holiday season is upon us. May it remind us of who we really are, and may we carry the phrase, "Good Will to All" into the new year, remembering that "Good Will to All" means exactly that! We must include ourselves in that phrase, for we are part of the All. So this season, may we remember to be good to others as well as to ourselves! In this way, we live the true spirit of the holidays!

Just as in nature the tree is born, blossoms and dies, so it is with us. As humans, in our earthly bodies, we each live, marching toward our eventual physical death. But there is the Spirit, that "eternally alive and brilliant energy," which is our constant companion wherever we are, be it here or elsewhere.

Do you honor yourself? Or are you busy reminding yourself of all your failures, mess-ups or weaknesses. So many walk around with shame or guilt running dizzily through their psyches. It's time to wake up and review your many strengths, successes and victories! It is here that you want to place your mind today, for the road to pure joy lies not in the dips you've taken or the bruises you possess or your smallness, but in the magnificence you hold within you as a child of Divine Spirit!

Today, look at all the good you do and have done during the precious years you've spent here. Good in terms of learning, growing, reaching out in love, striving to improve, setting goals, reaching goals, feeling compassion and being kind. You are worth honoring, just as you are! Know it and feel it! Pay tribute to yourself today, for you are indeed incredible beings!

You know that person who disagrees with you? Their opinion is as valid to them as yours is to you. And they are really doing their best with the belief system that they have learned and adopted. Misinformed? Maybe, but it's not our place to judge.

Do your best to stay away from judgment. Even when others judge you, please know that this is just a product of their erroneous thinking and not about you at all.

There is no "right" way to see something. Nor is there a "right" way to feel, think, behave, sit, stand, talk, or do. Fear-based consciousness is based on the concepts of "right" and "wrong." But this kind of thinking divides people into different camps, separating us from each other. Conflict is then birthed, and sends "happiness and joy" into hiding.

When walking through life, dare to allow each person to just "be." Each human being has his/her own perceptions, behaviorisms and emotional systems, based upon their upbringing, past history, genetics, education and programming. Judging each other only moves us farther away from the connectedness that we long for. So let them be, and let yourself be. And even if they judge you, let them be, and then let yourself be again. This is the road to pure peace and real joy!

Every great work that has ever been achieved has required patience. We are each striving to accomplish something, often many things. Seems we want to be there "yesterday." And we become impatient when we can't see the finish line. But if we just stop, breathe and observe, we may catch sight of the extraordinary and fascinating journey we are on, and all that we are learning as we trod along.

Have patience today with everything you are striving to accomplish. With steady, strong, slow steps, you will eventually reap the exquisite pleasure of your desires, while discovering much along the way.

Sometimes things get tough, and you find you've lost your peaceful center. You CAN retrieve it.

Try this: Jot down your wishes, dreams and hopes. Then affirm repetitively your intention to create each of these. When you're confronted with something unwanted, affirm your intention to create its opposite, or what IS wanted. Keep your mind on this intention as long as possible. When the unwanted item comes back into your awareness, refrain from judging it. Merely move your mind to your intention as often as possible.

Peace is never lost. It's right there waiting to be rediscovered. Setting your intention like this puts peace back where it belongs - right where you can feel it!