"I was talking to my daughter Lauren last night, she is going through a struggle period right now ...living in Banff, away from family. She has to move and it is hard to find nice accomodations at this time. As we talked about her year she shared with me the tough times and I held the space while she talked about and felt the experiences that have really stretched her emotionally.

I am so proud of her as she lets go of the sadness and fears that she has had to face. At the end of our beautiful visit I reminded her to write in her journal before the New Year, about the hard times and the good times. She said to me, 'Yes Mom, there were many good times.'

I felt her in that moment free and ready to walk through the door of the New Year. Lauren is an adventurer and I look forward to witnessing her journey as she gets to know herself so fully and authentically.

Take the time to write about your blessings and feel the gratefulness of your adventure with your soul's evolution. Happy New Year!"

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Kiss the heart of Christmas with the warmth of your love, gentleness and peace. Nurture yourself during this busy time so that you can give from a full heart. Blessings for the holidays."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"The other morning my daughter Lindsay and I were having breakfast and we counted 22 doves sitting on our tree over our balcony. The peace that we felt in our hearts was so reflected in this beauty of nature.

I believe this is everyone's true nature and at times when it is storming around us we may feel every emotion but peace. Acknowledge your stress or discontentment as it rises up with emotional charge and try not to bury it with a controlling mind. Hold the space for your own release just as you would embrace a loved one who needs to share their fears or hurts.

Be the one who knows...that peace is on the other side of the experience and always waiting inside you to be connected. While the storms of winter are blustering around you, sit in the center of your safe heart and move consciously into your world."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Last night we watched a Christmas Carol (Scrooge). It was the first one in black and white. I loved it and the movie took me to my Christmases of the past. I found myself reliving some of my history as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future took Ebenezer Scrooge into the time chambers of his life.

I laid awake early this morning remembering times when I had struggles, breakthroughs, life changes and a few Christmases where I shut my heart down from someone and left. I know that I broke someone's heart long ago to save my own soul... during the holidays.

It is the time of year to forgive others and ourselves and move into the New Year with a hopeful heart and faith that we have made choices for the good of all. Let go of the past and live fully present with this precious time! Life will change but the gift of your loving heart will always be remembered."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"The economic situation has forced retailers to gift buyers with boxing day prices. It is the week before Christmas and the stores are loaded with merchandise. Shoppers are delighted as they receive discounts at this time. I am sure the small independent stores are suffering. This is the time of the year when most stores should make their profits for their balance sheets. The dichotomy of joy and fear is felt throughout the malls and in our homes.

As the holiday season unfolds, people are being stretched with emotions. Let's be conscious of others and take care of our own heart so that we can become the opening to allow the spirit of Christmas to flow instead of the barrier of a closed heart that reflects the fear. Once we find our peace within, create this magic in your home and welcome your loved ones to celebrate the love that is the greatest gift of all."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Silence is the golden gateway to our heart and the time spent out of the details of our mind. Our breath takes us deeply into a safe place to feel and to see what is important in our lives. We accumulate so much in the way of possessions and thoughts that clutter our outer and inner space. Letting go can free us and lift the heaviness that is energetically holding us down. We can blame others or we can look at our life with the truth of what we are holding on to. Our space or lack of it is telling us an important truth. Either we have the space or we don't! Sit in the quiet space of your heart and home and know that this temple is yours."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Sometimes we need to be heard....other times we need to listen to our own deep sadness so that we can speak without the pain. The ignition of guilt or resentment becomes the barrier for clarity with our voice.

Our personal awareness can take us to conscious communication so that we can hold the space for others. Someone may need the support and gentleness of our open heart. At times we may not have the space ourselves to listen. We are constantly manifesting experiences to become clear. Take responsibility and release the emotions that rise up to be felt.

Relationship is where I learn the most about what is going on inside me....the places that I need attention."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"When I woke up this morning there were two doves sitting on the balcony. They were so gentle and such a reflection of my heart today. I sat with them and they stayed so present with me...I didn't want to leave them. Time has passed and I am pulled to move into my day. As I feel the peacefulness in me, I am grateful for this pleasure in my life that does not cost me a cent....only the time to remember and the time to feel. Be in peace with your precious day!"

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"I have let go of my children, loved ones and friends over the years as they travel to the other side of themselves and then back to the center of who they truly are. We all have our soul's journey that needs our full attention and when it is time we may have to make the choice to leave for a while. My daughters have gone through their dark sides just as I had to do for myself and they had to leave to find their own purpose just as I had to do when I broke away from my parents and siblings. When they come home to the heart of family now, the love that is reflected offers a sense of peace. Their self-worth is stronger and they have taken our values and teachings and created their own beautiful wisdom and loving strength.

I have had the opportunity to let go of other relationships that were not healthy for my heart and some have chosen to leave me. Last night I re-connected with a beautiful close friend from my past. I had to let him go to where he had to go for three years....and his dark journey strengthened him and healed his heart. He is now free to be the explorer of his own soul and his spirit is so lifted.

It was worth the patience with my own heart ....knowing that one day he may return to our relationship. As I looked into his eyes the light poured out of him with such enthusiasm and the gentleness created the moment of a new connection. It seemed like there was no time that had passed and we were reunited and excited to BE together again.

He had a chance to explain why he had to leave and he felt how my forgiving heart had held the space for him during this time....I had no expectations as I healed the void in me while he was gone. Some people stay in the wound of ego and continue to live with struggles and suffering and others find their way to emotional freedom.

Letting go and living in openness and loving with acceptance relaxes the energy around us and becomes the healing force that attracts the richness of loving relationships."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"I had an experience yesterday when I felt the collective pain of the world and the depth of love all at the same time. Both exist in each of us and the duality of life takes us to the highs and lows of our struggles and joys. The fears that we feel around the economic struggles and the peace we feel with our loved ones become the precious moment of existence....both the dark and light present at the point of awareness.

Our fear can close our heart momentarily and can be released at the moment of acceptance or acknowledgment and at the same time faith can comfort us and take us to a place of hope . Allow the music of your heart to move you to a safe place while the dance of the darkness and light becomes the opportunity of potential.

Once you feel both sides and you have released the emotion through the tears ...sit with the peace that manifests your future. The peace in your heart will reflect the light of a new world."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Recently I watched a beautiful old Christmas movie 'It's A Wonderful Life' with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. If you get a chance, it is worth seeing again...a great reminder for all of us and our wonderful life. The story shows how this man gave to others unconditionally since he was a little boy. He supported his community each day consciously and he found ways to stand up for others. You can see him at different stages of his life, stop and make the choice for the highest good of all.

He finds himself in a very desperate, dark time that pulls him into self-loathing. He lost FAITH in himself and his life. I don't want to give away the story but, because of his goodness and heartfelt living, it did all come back to support him once he moved out of his judgments and negative beliefs.

The antidote to FEAR is FAITH and no one can give it to us....the gift of FAITH is waiting and it is up to us to make the choice. Today and everyday find a way to move into your loving and compassionate heart and remember that you are important to each person in your world. Continue to create Your Wonderful Life!"

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"We had a beautiful family weekend up north and I have observed how gentle and kind loving opens the hearts of your loved ones. My daughter Lindsay and her husband Jay parent their children with such great respect, patience, acceptance and attention. As partners and parents they are so consistent with their loving and peaceful caring, even when they discipline.

When my grandson Eli, who is almost 3, becomes tired and resistant, I hear Lindsay give him a choice and I see how it empowers him to make a healthy choice. She says gently but firmly to Eli , when for example he says no to a bath or shower , "Eli, please don't talk to Mommy like that....tell me what you are feeling." Eli says, "I want to play and I don't want a shower now." Lindsay says, "Please be a good listener...and you have a choice....you can have a shower or you can have your nap." Eli very happily made his choice to have a shower and there was no yelling or intimidating.

I am proud of our children and see that their patient way of communicating with their children can support them in becoming healthy adults.

I have many opportunities to be patient and kind with my parents. I know that when I move my frustrations out of my heart, they are inspired to feel the joy and love in theirs. Once I give them the time to express their anxieties and they feel me open and interested, the beautiful loving energy between them can be experienced. This weekend, their grandchildren and great grandchildren reminded them of the gift of life and how precious every day is.

I am in gratitude as I greet my day! It feels so good to give and receive the joy that peace within my heart can inspire. Our family grows with love!"

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Life can be so magical at times. I was at the movie theatre with a friend and looked over and saw Santa sitting by himself. There were 10 minutes before the show started and we said " Hi Santa"...and he whispered...."Not too loud". We chatted for some time and my heart expanded as I looked into his eyes and felt him so authentic. He was from Vancouver, a retired gentleman and here in the Mississauga area to fill in for sick or tired Santas.

It was a joy to feel the magic in the air as this man spoke to us. We asked his name and he said "Just call me Santa". He said that he was bored as he had only worked for 10 hours in the last two weeks, so going to the movies was filling in time. I said to Santa, "Do you make house calls?" and he handed me his card.

Guess What? I invited Santa Claus for dinner next week when our grandchildren come for a sleepover. Shhhhhh....it's a secret. By the way....what do you make Santa Claus for dinner? I am sure that he is tired of milk and cookies. Yes...the magic is in the air for all ages. Be open to little miracles and don't be afraid to get to know the wonderful people around you."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

" 'Tis the season to be jolly!!! Be aware of the busy-ness of the holidays and try to take some extra time to take care of yourself. We can see the stress in people heighten with financial burdens, work pressures and family dramas. Our own well being must be nurtured so that resentments and fears shoved away don't bite the world. Become conscious of our reactions and behaviors when buttons are pushed. Our words and thoughts may be right but the negative charge around them is our barometer of what's in the way of peace.

Life can take us inside to feel the ignition of resistance and in that moment of responsibility we can move the barrier to our open heart. We will be faced with road blocks, struggles and uncomfortable times, until we look inside and feel where we are tired and unhappy.

Create intimacy with your heart... acknowledge your feelings and release the negativity. Listen to the truth of your inner voice and make some healthy choices to take care of you. Be the loving relationship that you crave and see how your life will support you."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"As our grandchildren experience the joy of Christmas my heart is so full as I experience them. When I am with their smiles and laughter I deepen into the present moment and remember my children when they were young. The eyes of a child sees each day as a gift and reminds us of the love and magic that can be birthed through our own hearts."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Our bodies are our temple. Be conscious of what goes in and how your body, mind and spirit are nourished. Each day I reclaim my inner power and move into the intention of healthy choices and loving thoughts. My body opens to the movement of yoga and receives divine truth and wisdom as my spirit lifts with the morning sunrise. Once I drop from the details of my busy mind, into the emotions to be felt and released, I expand into more space within...opening my heart to receive love and peace that is waiting for me. I am in gratitude for my life and I hold the innocence of my day with faith like a prayer that is present each moment. Now that I am empty of negativity I can share my nurtured full heart."

Colleen Hoffman Smith

"Life is showing us a road map to our own healing. Anyone or any experience that is making us uncomfortable or feeling negativity, highlights aspects in us that need our attention. Once we have touched our own emotions, releasing the tears of fear, guilt, disappointment, blame, judgment and self -doubt...take time to stay in this space of peace while our heart remembers who we are and why we are here.

This presence can support us in having a gentle voice that allows us to speak up or share truth. Once we have the intimacy with ourselves and another... share and listen with our open heart, be patient and BE in this process of observing ourselves and another.

Breathe into this moment and feel. Time and patience holds the energy for us to process and see with clarity...patience creates the safe place where relationships can heal!......our emotions are the bridge to releasing the feelings leading us to emotional freedom."

Colleen Hoffman Smith