Author: Neal Saye

Posted in Guest Writers, Uncategorized

Countdown to Christmas: 12/19/23 — “Take a Christmas Lights Stroll”

Posted on by Neal Saye

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 19th Day of Advent … TAKE A CHRISTMAS LIGHTS STROLL.

Here are today’s instructions:

This mindful walking exercise is to be done once darkness has fallen. Step outside and take yourself on a tour of the neighbourhood Christmas lights.

Take your time. Start by concentrating on your breathing. Walk slowly, let other thoughts and concerns slide away. Then, turn your focus towards all things Christmas.

Look at all the lights and decorations that have been put up. The trees and fairy lights in the windows, the displays outside the houses, from the modest and minimal to the bright and ostentatious. Observe everything you see: the colours, the shapes, the motifs, the characters. Consider the creativity, joy and care that has been put into the displays. Without judgement, name the emotions that seeing them makes you feel. Consider what the decorations represent. Think about how each display functions individually and as part of a communal whole.

As you feast your eyes on the lights, take note of any other senses being engaged. Feel and smell the cool evening air as your breathe it in, listen for music and other sounds.

When you finish your walk, consider how your thoughts and feelings have progressed. How have the lights and decorations of your local community made you feel?

The Biltmore House

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/18/23 — “Delve into a Book”

Posted on by Neal Saye

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 18th Day of Advent … DELVE INTO A BOOK.

Here are today’s instructions:

Your task today is to commit a while to the almost forgotten art of curling up in front of the fire with a good book. Okay, a fireplace is not a requirement, but try to find a warm, quiet and cosy place away from technological distractions in which to practice this mindful reading exercise.

Magnolia Springs State Park, GA

Choose a book, any kind you want, and first hold it in your hands, feel its weight, run your fingers over its cover. Notice the sound and touch of the pages as you turn them. Breathe in the smell of the book.

Slowly and calmly start reading. Savour each sentence, allow each description to form an image in your mind. Notice the writer’s use of language, take time to re-read particular parts that stand out to you, stop to look up any new words.

Delve fully into the world of the book. Appreciate the places, people and things that it creates for you.

Notice any emotions that the story and the overall experience of reading it makes you feel.

If your mind wanders, be patient with yourself. Just calmly acknowledge what took your attention, then let the thought drift away and bring your attention back to the world within the book.

Our study chairs where I do a Big Bunch of my reading …

Here’s what I’m (slowly!) reading now …

Oh my goodness, if you think some of your “parts” are terrible, READ THIS BOOK.

Robert and I also read books together. Well, more accurately I read aloud, usually while HR drives.

This current Christmasy one is our 182nd book we’ve read together …

Mindful Reading to You.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/17/23 — “Be Attentive to a Friend”

Posted on by Neal Saye

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 17th Day of Advent … BE ATTENTIVE TO A FRIEND.

Here are today’s instructions:

True friends are very valuable things. They are there for us when we really need them and they like us for who we really are. Yet in the busy modern world of the smartphone and social media, it is not uncommon to find ourselves somewhat disconnected from our real, face-to-face relationships.

Your task is to disprove this suggestion and at some point this Christmas have a meaningful one-on-one conversation with a friend.

If you can arrange to meet face to face, make sure to be as attentive to your friend as possible. Make eye-contact, truly see your friend and consider their expressions, mannerisms and the way they are interacting with you. Listen intently and compassionately to what they say. Don’t plan what you will say. Go wherever the conversation takes you.

As you spend time with your friend, think about what things you cherish about your friendship, embrace the appreciation you have for it. Also, remain mindful of your own body language. How do you feel and behave when with your friend?

If you can’t meet up, the above can still be possible due to the wonders of online video technology. Failing that, give your friend a phone call. Pay close attention to their voice and look for opportunities to be cheerful in your conversation. Sentiments of love, optimism and humour between friends are things to be cherished.

Feel these joyful moments as they happen.

Oh, the joy of friendship!

May we all be more … Friend-ly.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/16/23 — “Give Yourself a Break”

Posted on by Neal Saye

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 16th Day of Advent … GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK.

Here are today’s instructions:

There is a lot to enjoy about Christmas but sometimes we just need a break. From the advertising beginning in autumn, to the increased social and family contact, to the repetition of the same Christmas songs on TV and radio, we must remain wary of it all becoming a bit too much.

At some point this season, when you notice signs of stress coming on or when you feel that you have earned a break, use this task as a free token to take an hour or two out in which you do something relaxing and comforting that has nothing to do with Christmas and that is just for you.

Treat yourself. It could be a deep, long bath or an extended lie in in the morning. It could be a solo bike ride or trip to the cinema. As you spend your time away from the Christmas grind, enjoy, without guilt, the benefits of catering to yourself.

Let go of all other concerns for this period. Indulge yourself in the comfort of doing something just for yourself. Mindfully savour each moment. Note the positive emotions that you feel as the time unfolds. Finally, return refreshed to the duties of the day.

Remember that exercising self-compassion is not a selfish act – it is an important contributor to a healthy emotional well-being.

Take a break and put on the brakes to stress.

(P.S. HR gave me a wonderful gift/break yesterday — a deep tissue massage at Savannah’s beautiful Peacefully Rooted studio. It was gloriously relaxing and rejuvenating.)

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/15/23

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. A truly wonderful anniversary trip to Atlanta last week. Year 7.

2. Marveling at the AMAZING outdoor lights display at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.

And Atlanta won the National Championship of outdoor holiday light displays!

3. The Amazing Ability to see!

4. This tree outside our Airbnb in Atlanta.

5. My anniversary cards from HR. (You may recall that Robert has this wacky habit of giving multiple cards on special occasions. Which at first I thought was sort of weird but now love it.)

May you have a colorful weekend ahead!

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/15/23 — “Use Your Nose Mindfully”

Posted on by Neal Saye

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 15th Day of Advent … USE YOUR NOSE MINDFULLY.

Here are today’s instructions:

Your sense of smell can be one of the most powerful factors in getting you into the Christmas spirit. Today, let your nose take centre stage and be alert to all the festive aromas you come across both at home and outside.

Fresh pine, gingerbread, incense, cinnamon, candles, nutmeg, peppermint – the list goes on. When you notice a smell that you associate with Christmas, stop what you are doing, bring your nose to the scented object, close your eyes and focus on the sensations and feelings that come with the experience of smelling that aroma.

Perhaps the smell reminds you of a specific time or place from a past Christmas. Maybe it stirs a familiar or unexpected emotion in you. Maybe it ramps up the anticipation or the feeling of goodwill. Whatever feelings or thoughts you experience in this moment, just acknowledge and examine them for a lingering moment, then reopen your eyes and ease back into what you were doing before.

Focusing solely on the scent of an object lends an immediacy to our attention and brings us into the moment. Scent can also be very helpful in reducing anxiety.

What a wonderfully fun meditation this is today! I hope you try it.

Make your sense of smell bring you joy.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/14/23 — “Practice Mindful Waiting”

Posted on by Neal Saye

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 14th Day of Advent … PRACTICE MINDFUL WAITING.

Here are today’s instructions:

It could be a queue of Christmas shoppers, it could be a traffic jam on the way into town, it could be something completely unexpected; but at some point in the festive period you will be made to wait. Instead of seeing these enforced pauses as frustrating inconveniences, let’s use them to our advantage and treat them as little opportunities to exercise mindfulness.

For example, when you find yourself in a queue, resist the temptation to take out your phone. Instead, stop and notice your breathing, look around at where you are and what is going on. What do you see, hear, feel, smell? Notice the other people around you, hear the various noises of the daily bustle. Consider any current physical sensations, any emotions you are experiencing.

Look out for other pauses in general daily life in which to do this – a boiling kettle, a computer loading screen, a wait at the bus stop, etc.

Try to be in that moment and enjoy it rather than impatiently waiting for the moment to end. There’s a lot you can notice in a few seconds. Appreciate the mini-breaks life provides you.

This one is definitely a bit of a challenge in our too-busy world. But SO rewarding when we actually practice it.

Robert … waiting at Savannah Wildlife Refuge