“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Winter is here and the darkness is all around us. Personally, I love the long nights and yes the lights of the holiday season. The long nights encourage me to slow down and really take care of myself. It is one of the real gifts of the holiday season — the time to relax, to read, to sleep in, to sit and knit . . . all of which nourishes the light from within, that glow. I am curious: how we can we live both, the fun, sparkles and playfulness combined with the glow of joy and fulfillment. Like the fireworks of New Years Eve some things that shine and sparkle so bright are gone in a flash.  Do you wonder too how to maintain the joy, the sparkle and the glow from within?

My grandmother, who took care of me a good deal, used to tell me that I was so happy as a baby that I sparkled and shined, like there was a light within me that glowed bright. It has been a long time since I was that baby, but my friends tell me that I still sparkle and glow. The truth is: when I am nourished and truly happy, like right now, I can feel the sparkle. It is almost like a happiness high, that natural high that we joked about in the 60′s and 70′s !

After a week of gentleness and flow, I am in full, sparkling glow. I would like to pass this marvelous energy on to you as you read this. Breathe it in and relax into sparkling glow. For 2011, may you find ongoing joy and delight, peace and prosperity and love beyond measure. May your own ‘sparkle-self’ glow with all that you desire!

Blessings and love!