These December days are busy, filled with lots of “to-dos”, holiday parties, caroling, buying or thinking about what gifts to buy. . . on and on. A time of preparation, a time of increasing darkness, in the midst of lots of twinkling lights on the city streets and in store windows, in houses and condos.

Many of us are thinking ahead, living in the future and do not even think about ‘now’, about the present, about being mindful today.

This past weekend, I participated in a holiday healthcare fair, at the Osel Ling Meditation and Heartwood Healing Center, where I teach in Evanston, Il. We focused on our health, on greeting visitors with options for living better, being healthier. We greeted people, offered some mini-stress reduction through acupuncture, massage, essential oils, Reiki, Tai Chi. Is what great to help people focus on ‘now’, focus on their health during this busy time.

How wonderful to take time, right now in one of the busiest times of the year, to focus on our health. A holiday season of thinking about, planning for, and taking initiative to be healthier. When we focus on internal well-being and healing, we may just be calmer, happier, more giving and therefore, project the respect, kindness and peace to others that we hope will fill our world.