Life is good. It started snowing a few minutes ago. It's beautiful from where I sit at my computer and glance out the front window. The Christmas season is upon us. I long for simplicity, peace, simple joys, and a heart filled with love. This is a difficult season for so many people. I have friends and acquaintances dealing with personal tragedies, some with family challenges, some with a general sense of discontent, and lots of people just hanging in there on auto pilot. I attended a family Christmas party last night. When asked how I'm doing, I said that my life has a routine and I do the same things every week. There is something really nice about that. Of course, every once in a while I create a little drama for myself : - )

My life has changed dramatically in the last couple of years. I practice contemplative Christian meditation twice a day. I am in a group of fellow meditators that gets together every Saturday afternoon to study the New Testament, in a contemplative and personal way. This single group is the highlight of my week and I can't believe how much I look forward to being there. This little group has brought profound wisdom into my life and has helped me release old wounds and fears from a dogmatic view of life. My meditation teacher is the most joyful and loving person I know. His devotion humility is inspiring and I'm so grateful that he is willing to share with me.

My health and vitality have been transformed the last couple of years also. I practice Bikram (hot) yoga 5-6 days a week, do 20 minutes of cardio before yoga, play racquetball a couple of times a week, and plan to start some weight training, because I've gained back some of the weight I lost. Of course, healthy eating, remains my biggest health challenge, and sweet treats are my achilles tendon when it comes to feeding myself.