May your Holiday 2023 be filled with an Abundance of All Things you consider Good.
LOTSA LOVE, NEAL & HR
One more selfie …
(Robert always takes the selfies because I invariably drop the phone.)
A Selfie Christmas
Author: Neal Saye
Countdown to Christmas: 12/24/23 — “Sing a Christmas Song”
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, the 24th and last Day of Advent … SING A CHRISTMAS SONG.
Here are today’s instructions:
Activating your body, mind, breath and voice, there are few activities that involve you more comprehensively in the present than singing. Your task today is to sing a Christmas song.
Don’t worry, this need not be some grand solo performance to an audience – it could be singing carols as part of a group, an a cappella version in the safety of the shower, or simply singing along to a song on the radio – wherever you choose to sing, all that matters is that you give it your full attention and really go for it.
Feel the breath in your chest and the vocal vibrations in your throat; hear the sound of your voice; follow the patter of the melody, consider the meaning of the lyrics. Feel the various emotions involved, both in the tone and message of the song and in the personal feelings you get from the activity of singing. And most of all, enjoy singing for singing’s sake, for the fun and expressive act that it is.
Singing engages you completely in the moment and can be as relaxing as it is exhilarating.
Here’s a short video of grandson Daniel and his girlfriend Amalie singing “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” at a Savannah Ghost Pirates ice hockey game last night …
May your Christmas 2023 be a Song of Joy.
Countdown to Christmas: 12/23/23 — “Free Writing: Christmas Past, Present and Future”
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, the 23rd Day of Advent … FREE WRITING: CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.
Here are today’s instructions:
Get a pen and paper and give yourself half an hour for this mindful writing exercise. In three ten-minute periods, you will put pen to paper and write, without stopping, on the subjects of Christmases past, present and future, and see where this takes you.
Set an alarm for ten minutes and start writing about Christmases from your past. This could begin with a memory, an image, a feeling, a description of a scene. Just take the first idea that comes to you and run with it. Don’t worry about quality – nobody else will read this but you.
Don’t stop until the alarm. If you find yourself stuck for something to write, just write random words until a new thought takes over. If the subject veers away from Christmas, no problem, just go with the new thought and see where you end up.
When the ten minutes are up, reset the alarm and start writing again, this time starting with thoughts on the present. How is the current advent period going? How do you feel right now? Start writing and follow these thoughts, submitting them to paper without pause.
Next, repeat the exercise for Christmases of the future. What are your hopes, expectations, predictions? Again, don’t worry about writing badly or if the subject changes. Just keep focused on the act of writing, on following a thought from your mind to the page.
Finally, mindfully read what you have written.
H.R. writing IN HIS SANTA PANTS at Tugaloo State Park in Gumlog GA …
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/22/23
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Our amaryllis …
… blooming at just the tight time.
2. Beautifully precious grandchildren …
3. Cold and hot running water! What an incredibly tremendous blessing (which I far too often take for granted).
4. Our annual tradition of reading the delightfully nostalgic little book, A Cup of Christmas Tea and enjoying tea and cookies.
5. The reason for the season.
Have a Blessed Christmasv Weekend.
Countdown to Christmas: 12/22/23 — “Watch a Christmas Film”
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, the 22nd Day of Advent … WATCH A CHRISTMAS FILM.
Here are today’s instructions:
The TV schedule is full of Christmassy films, heart-warming tales that explore the magic of Christmas and the human spirit. Your task is to choose a Christmas film to watch, but instead of letting the story pass by as a mere piece of entertainment, watch it mindfully.
Give the film your full attention. Put your phone out of reach and just become fully engrossed in the story; in its themes, images and performances.
Concentrate on the emotions you feel as the narrative progresses. Notice the sensations in your body. Does your body language change as you watch? Do you tense up at exciting moments? Do your eyes well up at sentimental moments? Make mental notes of the feelings you go through.
Pay close attention to the ways in which the film portrays the ‘magic of Christmas’. What exactly does it say to you about the spirit of the season? What techniques are used to give it its effect?
Watching in this way is an example of behaving mindfully at times when we are prone to switching off. By being fully present in the viewing experience, we can notice things that would otherwise pass us by.
Countdown to Christmas: 12/21/23 — “Taste the Flavors of Christmas”
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, the 21st Day of Advent … TASTE THE FLAVORS OF CHRISTMAS.
Here are today’s instructions:
Certain flavours are inextricably linked to Christmas. A mince pie, a piece of gingerbread, a glass of sherry or eggnog, anything with nutmeg in it.
For this mindful tasting exercise, simply choose one of your favourite Christmas treats, and for a few minutes give your full attention up to the enjoyment of its flavours.
Before you start eating or drinking, sit down with your treat in front of you and engage your other senses. Notice how the treat looks, smells and feels. Is your mouth watering? Do you have any particular expectations? Fully experience the present moment, the palpable anticipation before the enjoyment.
Consume your treat as slowly as possible. Focus on the feel and taste of each bite or sip, the texture and sensations in your mouth. Consider all the flavours that are combined in what you can taste.
Try to block out all other thoughts and concerns for these few minutes of enjoyment. Channel all your attention solely into the experience of consuming this Christmas treat. Do the flavours bring back any fond memories of Christmases past? Are any other emotions awakened? Simply notice the progression of your emotions and bodily sensations as you eat or drink.
This exercise should demonstrate how much there is to enjoy when we take our time with our food and drink and focus our mind completely on the enjoyment of the present.
YUM!
One-Word Wednesday: 12/20/23
“Mistakes”
On our recent anniversary trip to Atlanta, for some reason I kept making “mistakes” as I took photos.
Like these at the Atlanta Botanical Garden …
Or these from our Airbnb balcony with a great view of Atlanta’s skyline …
And even though they are mis“takes” …
… they are still kinda pretty.
All mistakes aren’t ugly.
Countdown to Christmas: 12/20/23 — “Wrap Presents Mindfully”
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, the 20th Day of Advent … WRAP PRESENTS MINDFULLY.
Here are today’s instructions:
The wrapping of Christmas presents, while it may seem like a mundane, functional task, can become a meaningful and reflective experience when we apply mindfulness to it. Here are a few suggestions for wrapping your presents mindfully.
For each present you wrap, first hold it in your hands and think about the person it is for. Say their name and picture them in your mind. Consider your feelings towards them, why you have bought them this particular item and how they might appreciate it.
As you measure and cut the wrapping paper, be alert to all the sensations it involves: the feel of the scissors in your hand, the sound of the paper as you smooth it out, the sound of the blades cutting through it.
Watch with care as you neatly fold the paper, stick it with sellotape and so on. Take your time; be alert to each moment as you lovingly prepare each gift.
Consider the act of giving and how it makes you feel. Notice how acts of kindness and generosity have a positive effect on your own mood.
This exercise is an example of how just about any task, especially one we normally do on autopilot, can really come to life when we give it our undivided attention.
T-Shirt Tuesday: “Santa!”
NealEnJoy 