Welcome to the season of celebration: the Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and many more. No matter what holiday you celebrate in December, it is the season of the year when we especially want to spend quality time with family and friends, participating in rituals and traditions that we have enjoyed since childhood. And while it is indeed a festive time, this time of year can often bring on feelings of stress and overwhelm as we add additional tasks to our usual workload.  

I remember a couple of years ago during the month of December, National Public Radio (NPR) ran a wonderful series on their program, Morning Edition about peace. Each Tuesday, NPR correspondent Susan Stamberg and her crew went around the country and stopped people on the street to ask, "Where do you go to find your own personal peace?" It was a simple but powerful and thought-provoking question that evoked many interesting, heartfelt, and often moving responses. It's a very good question to consider....especially during this bustling holiday season.  

When I asked myself that question, there was no hesitation. For me, it is ALWAYS outdoors in Nature...no matter what the weather is doing. As I've mentioned before in the newsletter,  I am lucky to be living in an area that is right at the edge of the NJ Pine Barrens: a unique and natural setting that covers over 1 million acres of pristine streams and woodlands which includes a diverse wildlife population. Whenever I need a place to think and de-stress, or simply BE, I walk out my door and head to the woods. It is there-always-where I find focus, clarity, answers, and peace.  

What about you? When you are feeling the pressures of everyday life, where do YOU go?  Is it somewhere in Nature or a quiet spot in your home or even simply gazing out a window for a moment?  Wherever it is...go to that place...as often as you can...especially during this full and busy month. Try it for for 5 minutes or maybe even 5 hours...it is there that you will most likely find the peace that you seek.