At this time of year, we tend to get overwhelmed. There are lists upon lists for gifts, school concerts and sports events, activities, holiday gatherings, and food to make, bake or buy. It’s hard to keep these lists straight and easy to find yourself recopying and reorganizing every list.

Then there are the events of the world around us. All of us seem to have less money to spend, more worries about our jobs or the jobs of our families and friends, and concerns about the safety issues and wars that are threatening or already occurring.

How do we maintain our heart connection and gain a sense of hope in this season of love and new beginnings, in the midst of the seeming chaos of this moment? It is important to remember that we are all in this together. It is essential to remember that we are all connected to a greater wisdom that is available to us in every minute.

By ignoring our mental chatter (try it) and banishing the negative voices around us (find the good that exists in each situation), we can focus our attention on the wisdom and Brilliance that all of us possess.  We can make this choice, in every moment, every day. The more we are tuned into the thoughts from our natural Brilliance the more our actions will reflect Universal wisdom and lead to new and better beginnings.

In this time of community, let’s include everyone around us so we don’t “go it alone”. Invite your friends to share in accomplishing some of the “work” of the holiday razzle-dazzle. Some may like to bake cookies or hang lights; others could share shopping bargains or “from the heart” gift ideas. Any of these tasks can be returned in kind for each other. Someone else might watch your kids while you finish important activities, and vice versa.

The biggest decision will be to shift each negative thought to a more positive one if you truly want a holiday to remember fondly.

• “I am harried” becomes “I have enough time to do what’s important.”
• “I am overwhelmed” could turn into “I’m going to do what I love, and then I’ll ask for help with the rest.”
• “I hate the Holidays” must shift to “I want to pass on only the message of love and joy in this season”

Changing your thoughts allows you to experience a mindset of enjoyment and a chance to raise the spirits of your community. We are part of the whole. Whether large or small in number, those closest to us at work or home contribute greatly to our love of life, as we do to theirs.  Don’t do it all – give up that thought about controlling everything. Invite the neighbors and their dogs and cats to share in the fun.

Limit all presents to ONE or TWO for each person. Have your guests and family play games, charades, or make up skits; it’s more fun than everyone splitting off to go their own way.  Make up a dinnertime activity that allows each person to share personal likes, jokes, laughs, and hopes. Everyone wants to be included, so the kitchen should be full of helpers and new cooks.

Jane Nelsen says, “A key to happiness is listening to your inner wisdom until understanding sneaks past your thought system.” Shake the old thought patterns about holidays from your tree, and create a new and delectable crop of memories for this season, this year.