Hi ,

December is a month when people think of peace on earth and goodwill to all men and women. So what does that mean to you and me? Sometimes December can be a month of stress for people—buying presents—having family over—or the reverse—no presents and no family over!

For me, I like to think of the peaceful aspect of December. Everything is still. Animals and birds are quieter—more reserved. And if it has snowed the street noises become muffled. If the lakes are frozen over, even the water becomes still.

And yet, at the other end of the spectrum, there is celebration, parties and for some religions a coming together in joy and exultation. So what is December for you? What will it be for you as the last of 2005 slips away? Are you going to make resolutions for the New Year? Are you going to do things differently in 2006?

I suggest we begin today, right now, this very moment. Why wait for a particular day, a certain party or a special gathering? Why not celebrate your life right now. Why not find peace and joy in your heart right now?

Of course it’s what everyone wants—and so how do we get it? How do we find that peaceful place in our hearts when things don’t seem to be going our way? How do we find joy in our world when things seem to be falling apart? We find it by thinking about it. That’s right! What you think about is what you become!

If you think positive thoughts—you will encourage positive things happening in your life. It’s true! I can’t tell you how many times things seem to be falling apart in my life—from large disasters to small frustrations—and I just keep thinking good thoughts and suddenly things take a turn for the better. I get the phone call I was waiting for. The contract comes through. The person who wasn’t getting in class suddenly gets it!

Everything begins with a thought. So what thoughts are you thinking in December? How are you leaving this year behind? Here are a couple of suggestions for an amazing December:

• Don’t wait for January to make resolutions—start today
• Keep your resolutions very, very simple
• Read books that fill your heart with joy
• Listen to music that uplifts your spirit
• If you judge yourself and others critically—STOP—have a loving thought instead
• New beginning start with waking up—wake up and smile

Peace and goodwill to you

Jeff