Countdown to Christmas: 12/4/23 — “Write a Mindful Christmas List”

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, Day Four of Advent … “WRITE A MINDFUL CHRISTMAS LIST.”

Here are today’s instructions:

Your task today is to write a Christmas list – but this is not the kind of list that a child would write to Santa, this list will take the form of a mindful freestyle writing exercise. Take a pen and a clean page, and set aside 20 minutes.

Without any mental preparation, start writing down the things you most want from Christmas this year. But think beyond the presents you would like to receive – consider the more immaterial aspects: the emotions you want to feel, the situations you hope to occur.

With each item on the list, focus your mind purely on that thought, and follow it through to wherever it takes you. Explore the reasons behind your wishes and keep writing what comes to you.

Perhaps you are hoping for a harmonious family gathering; maybe you’re excited to see Christmas through the eyes of a little one; whatever your wish, just keep writing.

Don’t worry if it stops resembling a list or if the subject veers away from Christmas. The only aim is to put your train of thought to paper and see where it goes.

Letting your thoughts develop and expand further than they would usually go can be a very relaxing and revealing experience.

May your Christmas List be a Blessing to you and your/our World.