How To Release Fear During the Holiday Season

Part 6: How to live the New Year without Fear through Spiritual Healing

Do you want 2008 to be different than 2007? Do you want to release the negative self talk that is holding you back? Do you want a life of joy?

The essence of freedom is forgiveness. If you hold a lot of anger or hatred in your body, the only person you are hurting is yourself. Is there a person that, when you think of him or her, you feel anger because of the way you believe they betrayed, humiliated or abused you? Please understand I am in no way condoning or dismissing an event that occurred in your life. However, the bitter feelings that you retain are only hurting you. The energy you put into holding the anger and pain is real. When you use your energy in this way, it is not available for passion.

I used to think forgiveness was a magnanimous act. I was magnanimous when I could forgive someone who mistreated or acted inappropriate with me. I used to believe forgiveness meant standing in a "holier than thou" place and deciding to bless someone for his or her transgressions.

How arrogant to think I had the power to forgive. Our perceptions and our judgments of any situation, event or behavior of another being create our response. Forgiveness is only needed when someone judges a behavior unsuitable. That means it is within a person only has to let go of their judgment to forgive. I then realized that my judgment of others was the same as the way I judged myself. And, since I want to love myself, I need to forgive myself for the judgments that were eating me alive.

Forgiveness equals Freedom. Forgiveness and release from judging someone else frees your soul. Each time you judge someone, you are judging a part of yourself. Ask yourself:

· Do I abuse, dishonor or mistreat myself in anyway?

· Do I constantly dishonor my commitments to myself and others?

· Do I attack my body with unhealthy foods or refuse to honor my need for rest?

· Do I give the respect to other that I want for myself?

· Do I see myself as more important or above anyone else?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may consider putting down the stones of judgment you've been throwing.

I suggest that you begin to meditate daily on letting go of your judgments. Begin to affirm new choices. For example, I choose to love myself, I choose to surrender blame, I choose to think loving thoughts. These simple statements will begin to reprogram your thinking and attract new experiences. You will never go back to the beginning because now you have experienced a shift. Remember, the old patterns want to live. They will keep changing form to fool you into thinking they are gone. It is important to keep your spiritual channels open so you can recognize an old habit in new form. Each time one appears anchor your new choices.

To maintain your new patterns, connect to the quietude of your soul. Your mind will be able to fool you into irrational beliefs and reactions. But your inner voice, that 'still-point' within you knows the power of love and compassion will never steer you wrong. It will be a constant source of guidance to bring you back to the remembrance of a healthy state of being.

I support you fully in moving into 2008 with power and passion. I support you in moving into the new year with joy and full self assurance. You are magnificent and 2008 is a clean canvas for you to paint the masterpiece that is your life.

Remember, freedom is a choice.

Cynthia James is a lecturer, teacher, internationally renowned performing artist and author of "What Will Set You Free". She currently serves as an associate minister at Mile Hi Church, in Lakewood, Colorado, one of the largest new thought spiritual centers in the world, with a congregation of over 10,000 member and friends. To learn more about living a life of passion, visit her website at www.whatwillsetyoufree.com.