Dear Friends,

Something strange and remarkable seems to be happening. Here it is January 10th, and many of the holiday lights are still on! People seem to be taking them down reluctantly.

The unwritten rule used to be to take the lights down on January 6th. In fact, in Phoenix, in past years we've seen lights coming down even before New Year's eve. But not this year, and certainly not at our house.

It's quite likely we may be the last to take them down. Right now, as I revel in the wonderland-look of our courtyard and see peoples' faces light up as they walk through it, I feel as if the lights should never be turned off.

This little courtyard now so sweetly lit celebrates life and love and the divine faith of the people who live here and those who visit here that God and goodness will prevail over the misery and fear of our times.

There are several five-foot-tall bushes of golden marigolds, grown from seeds we brought back from our last spiritual journey a year ago to India where we first saw these tall robust flowers growing in the foothills of the Himalayas - so unlike the usual small variety of the West. Throughout India they are woven into garlands to adorn the altars of temples around India. I call this variety "Temple Gold." They stand tall here to bless the temple of a happy home. The lights at night play on their gold faces, and people walking past them stop and stare in awe exclaiming, "These can't be marigolds!"

The little courtyard lights dance off the faces of other flowers too, as well as tall green elegant plants. In their midst stand two porcelain statues representing two of the many creatures we have loved. There's a pelican from Mexico, standing in for a far larger pelican we found ill and rescued on the beach on our honeymoon in Mexico. "Pelican Petey" still lives in our hearts (see website Archives August 2002). Then there's a beautiful cockatoo, in memory of our beloved son, Mr. Peaches, who was with us for 14 years (see website Archives August 1999). Of course guarding the front door from the inside is a gray statute of a gorgeous cat, a stand-in for our beloved "PC" who passed last summer (see website Archives August 2003).

When we started to create our little wonderland courtyard last year we wanted it to be a place of peace, so that people would feel peaceful before they even got to our front door. It was really approaching our goal but something was lacking. What? When the holiday lights went up, we saw the magic come to life.

We all have magic in our lives, but sometimes we forget it, maybe because we can't see it. So let's all turn our lights on and shine them brightly around our homes and in our lives.

Now, that may mean fixing things up a little in our lives. If you turn the lights on and you see something that doesn't quite add to the magic, fix it, breathe the breath of life into it, and smile on it. Just as you smile at people and that helps to fix them. How do you know? Smile, and watch them smile back! That's your special light lighting up their special light. And never forget to power up your light daily with yoga, meditation and prayer.

All of us need to shine our lights even brighter these days. It's not just the long dark nights of winter affecting us, but the heaviness and fear penetrating our minds and hearts as we face terror alerts and grave warnings. We must continue to live in the light and bring the power of goodness to others.

When I was as child I remember reading this from the Good Book: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I took that to heart, then and now.

God loves us all when we shine. So keep the lights on, in all ways, and live the magic always!

Blessings to all throughout the New Year!

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