stress and anxiety from excessive eating, spending, shopping and baking. What's more, most folks put a lot of time and energy into the search for the perfect gift, but, like many of you, I know it's not a material thing that matters, rather it's the thought that counts. This simple phrase has significance not only during the holidays but everyday because of the Truth behind it. Our thoughts, through which the Creative Power flows, manifest our world of affairs and everything we experience in our lives.

Making the right choices in how we think is important because our thoughts form the foundation for the conditions in our lives. We want to keep our thoughts focused solely on God and express the God qualities inherent in us such as wisdom, love, peace, harmony and joy. When we master the art of right thinking, we find that our speech and our actions follow suit.

Sometimes if we are stuck in a negative thinking pattern, it can seem difficult to shift your thoughts to a higher level. The five simple steps outlined below will help cultivate good thinking habits and raise your consciousness during the holiday season and beyond.

Speak only loving words - If you feel like complaining because of long lines at the check-out counter, don't. Instead, keep an inspirational book with you and make productive use of the time. This could make standing in line fun, interesting and educational. If high price tags have gotten you down, affirm that "Spirit provides all that I need at all times." Also think about alternative gift ideas such as homemade jam, dried herbs from your garden or a donation to a charitable organization. 

Avoid doing things because you "have to" - Whether it's baking cookies, sending cards, visiting certain people or buying expensive gifts, don't do anything because you have to. Check your heart space and see if you are acting out of love. If not, consider eliminating the activity.

Practice the presence - Meditation and prayer deepen your connection with the Divine Presence and raise your consciousness up to higher levels. As I explain in Live Your Joy: How to Awaken from Spiritual Slumber*, when your consciousness is abiding in the Infinite Bliss Mode of Action, your thought is of the purest and highest kind; therefore, your manifestations are immediate and magnificent.

Cultivate gratitude - Many people feel lonely or sad during the holidays, but when you have a grateful attitude, you are giving love back to your Creator. This simple act from deep in our hearts elevates our joy levels.

Donate your time to projects and causes you believe in - Sharing your love with other people, animals or the environment by gracious giving shines your light in the world and is a gift you can make to the Earth and its inhabitants.

As you give back to life, remember that Spirit is always ready and willing to give to you. As Ernest Holmes tells us,

"Spirit can do for us only what it can do through us. Unless we are able to provide the consciousness, it cannot make the gift...while the Power is limitless, It must become operative through our own thought, we shall see that what we need is not some greater power, but a greater consciousness."

This holiday season I am energized at the thought of making choices that promote higher consciousness instead of stress and strain. Because even though the holidays have been over commercialized, you don't have to participate in that unless you want to. You can keep your consciousness in the right place by remembering it truly is the thought that counts. Many blessings for the holiday season.

* Live Your Joy: How to Awaken from Spiritual Slumber is available from New Leaf or www.liveyourjoy.org