We are fast approaching the end of the year. The holiday season is here — that magical time when traditions from around the world begin to light up the planet in celebration and joy. And with over 4,200 religions in the world, that’s a lot of diversity. And joy.
Unfortunately, some people don’t like other people’s traditions. They get scared by them, thinking that if what someone else believes is true, that it somehow takes away from their own truth. This is what leads to conflict, which often turns into war. It’s ego’s need to be right.
However, on the flip side, there is freedom. It arrives only when there is acceptance of all paths, when we each embrace that “there are thousands of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” It is here in this liberating space where we can then turn our attention to the only thing that matters — our own path to God.
For me, that path has been Ho’oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian art for achieving happiness, peace, and abundance. Ho’oponopono has been the great gift of my life, teaching me that my beliefs don’t need the approval of others. I just need to simply live my own truth in service to a better world.
I have come to realize that when we discover our own path, we help others discover theirs; when we erase the long-held memories of hatred and fear that lives buried deep within our own sub-conscious, we erase those memories in others. When we let go and choose love, others let go and choose love.
When we change, the world changes.
I believe we are all so much closer to each other than we think. Down deep, where it matters, we all share a common goal to find peace, love and a deeper understanding of our own divinity. This transcends all traditions and all religions.
The fact is, there is only one real tradition: to become who we were meant to become on the path to discovering our purpose on earth. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, or free spirit following Mother Earth, it’s a time for us all to slow down, pause, give thanks for the year, and hope for all the possibilities that lie ahead.
It’s time for us all to be tolerant of one another, as we each strive to bring peace and love into our lives. That’s the only way we’ll make the world a better place.
Originally published at medium.com