I’ve been reflecting on the universal themes of the holiday season, especially the ones I can use to keep my life and purpose in the world in perspective and moving forward. I found this month’s feature article, “Awakening Global Consciousness,” to be most helpful in this respect, particularly in its description of consciousness as “consciously participating in the evolution of humanity to bring about a world that works for all.”

This description captures what I hope to do as I pursue my God-given purpose, and according to writer, Linda Sechrist, many, many, many other people now hold the same hope. Thus the article’s premise that the world is at or near a “tipping point”, or critical mass, of consciousness. According to author Malcom Gladwell, “Critical mass occurs when an unshakable belief is held by 10 percent of the population.” If you’re like me, you’ll find this idea comforting, especially given the steady diet of harsh rhetoric to which we have been exposed this past year.

The key themes I’m focusing on are love, peace and joy. Although you can’t really have one of these qualities without “catching” the others, I believe the greatest of them is love—for people and the planet. Our instruction manual is full of guidance for those who choose to “put on love.” Here are just a few examples:

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” ~ 1 Cor. 13:1-3

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” ~ 1 Cor. 13:4-8

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ~ Rom. 12:9-10

“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” ~ Rom. 13:10

While these scriptures speak more directly to loving other people, they are equally applicable to loving our planet—protecting it from misuse and overuse, and from the harmful effects of manmade pollution. And those harmful effects are exponential. The plastic bags and straws that spoil our oceans also injure or kill marine life, and the fossil fuels that emit toxins when burned pose a danger to anything that breathes—not just the birds in the air, but us folks on the ground, too.

This holiday season and beyond, I encourage you to pursue the noble cause of love—of people and planet. You’ll see how much better life can be for you and everything around you.

Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday.

Bernice