I want to quickly share a conversation that I hope will inspire you this Christmas Day.

A friend invited me to her home to celebrate Christmas Eve with her family. My heart wanted to be there, but

I wasn’t sure my tired body would sustain my heart’s desire. I told her that I planned to be there. She said, “I understand your work schedule, you don’t have to come out of obligation.” I said, “I wouldn’t come out of obligation, I would come out of appreciation. You love and support me, sis. I want to come and support you.”

Over the course of our 15-year friendship, I’ve seen many pieces of her life. I’ve met most of her family, but I hadn’t seen them all together. It was a joy to watch the personalities, relationship dynamics, and the spirit of Christmas gleam from her four children, four grandchildren, one in-law, former husband and family friend (who is due to deliver her second child any day) and her daughter.

I had an incredible time eating, laughing, and exchanging hopes, fears, dreams, and stories of God’s miraculous moves in our lives.

The spirit of Christmas reminds us of the appreciation and adoration of the incredible gift of life that changed the course of the universe. Jesus didn’t come out of obligation, he came out of appreciation for who we are and what we can become.

My prayer is that every moment you spend celebrating with those closest to you will be felt with the same level of love, freedom, and elevated awareness that Jesus bought to the plant.

There Is More Inside, YOU!

God Bless you, I love you, Merry Christmas!

Join the innercircle of self-esteem and branding expert S. Renee at www.srenee.com