This document discusses the holiday season and finding meaning and connection. It notes that the holiday season provides opportunities to focus on values like love, joy, and peace. The lights of the season can prompt allowing one's inner light to provide healing. That inner light represents hope, faith, and possibilities. Through quieting the mind and relaxing the breath, we can discover our "most sacred self" within.

1. connecting with our heart and spirit. Keep in mind, that every season has its beauty and its joyful aspects—if
we are willing to pay attention to it. The holiday season is rich with happy moments being offered to you--
no matter what your spiritual/religious path is (or even if you don’t have one.)
This is the time of year that much of the world is focused on the values of connection, love, joy and peace and
everyday miracles. These messages are like important Post-it notes to remind us of what brings life purpose,
meaning and connection. Even as people engage in the hustle bustle of the season, we are reminded of
“peace on earth, goodwill toward men” and “let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”. When we
hear those messages, we have an opportunity to let them touch our heart and spirit.
And, of course, the lights are so symbolic. They can prompt us to allow the light to radiate through our
heart, providing healing and nurturing. The light represents the thought that even when darkness appears to
prevail, as we light a candle the darkness is transformed. The light is always more powerful than the dark.
The light can remind us of the flame that burns continuously within ready to reveal our precious essence—
and connect us to its powerful beacon of hope, faith and possibilities. And how do we know the light is
within? We know this because when we become quiet, when we become still, when we connect with the
beautiful transformative power of the relaxed breath, we discover something already within. And, with that
breath we come home to what is highest, and merge with our most sacred self.
Author’s Bio
Terry Zick has a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from University of Colorado-Denver. She has 30 years
experience working with adults, children and family preservation. She has worked in settings such as: non-
profits, schools, justice system, alcohol/drug programs. Her role as counselor, consultant and trainer main-
tains a focus on spirituality, health and wellness. Terry currently facilitates groups and supports individualized
mentoring at the Wellness and Recovery Center North .
Challenges stand in our way
as we start climbing the
mountain of dreams
We find many boulders
blocking our path
making progress difficult
We wonder- can we make it?
But as we proceed we see a
small trail which will make the trip easier
We notice the wild flowers
and hear the birds
singing their sweet tune
Look! There is a fellow traveler!
Perhaps he would like
to join us
Cindy Tuttle provides spiritual retreats for
family members of adults with mental illness Yes, the mountain is still steep
and consumers. These non-denominational but now the journey is less difficult
retreats provide a time and space to reflect with a companion to share the load
on our purpose in life, our holiness, and how
love is with us each day. You can contact We will keep climbing this mountain
Cindy at cindytuttle08@comcast.net or visit step by step with faith
her website www.cindytuttletheauthor.com