The two holidays that we celebrate this month, Chanukah and Christmas, honor the dominion of spirit within matter. In the story of Chanukah, a handful of Jewish warriors are able to defeat an enormous Greek/Roman army. Their victory stems from their passion, belief and connection with spirit. In the story of Christmas, we're celebrating the birth of a spiritual master whose message is love and oneness with the Father, which to me means oneness with the universal consciousness. Both traditions celebrate the ability of us humans to unite and work with spirit.

The times we live in are violent and turbulent. We can observe two extremes within mankind's consciousness and manifestation. On one hand: greed, commercialism and materialism are accelerating. The source of this phenomenon is disconnection to self and others, and inner emotional and spiritual hunger. On the other hand: healing and unity consciousness is gathering momentum and with it the flowering of teachers, scientists and light workers who are the vehicle of transformation, and the wave of the future.

Many of us are caught in the in-between, the gray space that is neither this nor that. It is time to take a stand as to which camp we are in. Are we going to be the takers/users, or the givers/creators? We all have some gray shades, or undecided little corners, but we are called to make choices in our personal and collective life to create the present and the future. It looks like we must wake up, gradually or not so gradually, and align ourselves with the forces of constructive creativity.

I try to take an honest look at my choices and actions on a daily basis, and I would like to invite you to do the same. There are two ancient questions that human beings have asked since the beginning of time. These can help us stir ourselves in the right direction. The questions are: who am I? And, why am I here? If you ponder these deeply and sincerely, you will keep unraveling the layers and reach interesting insights about your true nature, your gifts, and your lessons. This inner quest will put you in the camp of the builders and creators who are dedicated to shaping the future.