The spiritual life is not a part of life, it is all of life.  Knowing that truth makes it easier to deepen your spiritual life because you no longer need to worry about carving out niches of time to “work” on it.  It doesn’t have to be sandwiched in between trips to the mall for last minute Christmas gifts, getting the holiday cards out, and “making” time for your children or grandchildren.  Your spiritual life is the spirit of you – the spirit of you that cares enough about others to make that trip, to write that card, to love that child.  Whatever holiday experience is yours – whether it’s exhilarating or filled with sadness or somewhere in between – simply close your eyes and feel the Presence.  It’s always there, a light always turned on.  It’s never off, never on vacation, never judgmental of you or your choices.  A moment of acknowledging the Presence is always a moment of comfort, peace, and sanity. 

A “Course in Miracles” calls this idea a “holy instant”.  In the practice of a holy instant, we become willing – just for a moment – to release all of our unloving thoughts, and again accept the Love of God.  Just for a moment.  That single, simple act of consciousness – to close our eyes, slow our breath, and feel the Presence – takes our spiritual life to a deeper level every time we do it. 

If you’re overwhelmed this holiday season and wish it were more spiritual and less commercial, know that it is more spiritual.  That you are more spiritual.  Close your eyes, breathe, love God.