On Being Mad: We spend so much energy on anger. We feel frustrated when things don't go the way we want and we get really angry at others who hurt us, disappoint us, or steal our joy. The truth is, no one can make us angry. We make ourselves mad, sick and angry. Being mad only hurts us. We get sick and dis-eased. Let's remember;

• How people ACT is their business. How we RE-ACT is our business.
• Hatred does not hurt our enemies -- it only hurts us.

If only for self-preservation, don't be mad. It's a bad investment. You give away your energy and get nothing in return. The next time you feel angry, just stop and think -- who am I really hurting? Take deep breaths and RELEASE the hostility.

On Letting Go: Clinging to bitterness and acid emotions only hurts us. So, how can you let go? Think of the hate, anger, frustration, despair (insert any negative feeling) as a physical disgusting thing. Perhaps a gross, rotted, stinking piece of food. Why cling to that? Would you eat that thing? NO! Then why keep bitter, rotting feelings within you? Remember, bitter emotions -- like rotted food -- only hurt you. Let go of them!!

On Power & Control: We all want some type of control (some of us "control freaks" more than others J ) But, the truth is we cannot control others. Why do we want to? It's just more responsibility and stress. Again, how other people act is their business. We've got our hands full taking responsibility for our own actions. The next time you feel critical about how someone else is acting, look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Am I perfect?" (Hopefully, you said no) That person is struggling, too.

On Compassion: What about those times when someone physically harms us, robs us, kills someone, or some other serious injustice. This is the time for compassion. This lesson is from the Dalai Lama. Tibet was taken over and thousands of monks and holy people were killed. When asked, "How can you have compassion for those who did this to your people?" The Dalai Lama says, "How can I not have compassion for them? They are creating their own karma, possibly horrible future atrocities for themselves." An eye for an eye doesn't mean we get even. It means the evil-doer creates his own punishment, hell or karma. We release, let go and forgive. Harboring hate and resentment is the rotten food syndrome again. Why hang on to that? Let go and heal.

On Attachment & Possession: It's this simple. We don't own anything or anyone. We come into this world alone and we'll leave alone. As Lennon says, "the only thing you take with you is your soul." True love is sharing and caring, not possession.

Ungodly? Selfish? Is it selfish to pray? To seek Peace of Mind? World Peace? Peace is the only gift we can give to ourselves and others. Finding our own Peace allows us to forgive others, heal ourselves and find hope in a world that feels chaotic and crazy. Like anything, it takes practice to deal with negativity (fear, anger, depression, hostility), but the pay off is PEACE. Isn't that the goal -- Hope, Joy and the greatest of all Love?

May Peace be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year...

Written by Jami Morgan, for Christmas 2003 | Back to eMandala (the website)