Christmas feelings – all year round

During the Christmas season, we often experience profound and beautiful emotions such as joy, gratitude, generosity, and love. Regardless of our cultural or spiritual background, many of us experience a natural concern for others, a willingness to share, and a sense of connection with those around us. It is as if this time of year brings out something special in us—but what if this special feeling is not reserved for the holidays?

Sydney Banks pointed out that these feelings are not triggered by specific times or events. They are part of our nature—always available, no matter what is happening around us. We don't have to wait for the holidays to feel love, gratitude, or joy. We are designed to live in those pleasant feelings all year round.

The beautiful feelings we may associate with the Christmas season are manifestations of the spiritual energy we are made of. The energy that Syd referred to as "Mind" expresses itself through love, understanding, kindness, and caring, and is our true essence. We are simply created to live in joy and togetherness with others in a state of peace.

The metaphor of the frozen river

But why does it seem as if some of the warm and loving feelings disappear when the holiday season is over? The answer lies in our thinking. When we return to everyday life and once again allow our habitual thoughts to fill our minds—worries, comparisons, self-criticism—we create an illusion of separation from the love that is within us. We also create an illusion of separation from others.

Sydney Banks often used metaphors to illustrate deeper truths in life. Think of a river covered by a thick layer of ice. Although it looks as if the river is completely frozen, the water still flows unhindered just below the ice layer.

In the same way, beautiful feelings may seem to have disappeared under the heavy blanket of habitual thinking, but worries and self-criticism are like ice—only a layer. Underneath, loving feelings always flow freely. It just takes insight—an awakening to the truth of our thoughts—to rediscover and restore our connection to them.

Waking up to the present moment

When we realize that our feelings are determined by how we use our thoughts in the moment, we are less caught up in habitual thinking. This insight is our freedom. We don't need to try to change our thoughts or avoid them. We just need to see that it is only our thoughts that stand between us and our natural state of love and joy.

When we wake up to this realization, we return to the beautiful feelings we long to be in. We begin to live in the moment, freed from self-absorption and worries. We feel a deeper connection to life and the people around us.

This text is an invitation to discover that the feelings we associate with Christmas are not tied to a specific time of year. They are part of us, always available if we let them come to the fore. As Syd said, "The most unnatural thing for a human being is to be unhappy." Our natural state is joy, love, and peace.

So the next time you feel gratitude, generosity, or love, notice that feeling. Be in it. It is your true nature shining through, and you can live in that state—not just during the holidays—but all year round.