Christmas can be a time of great joy and fun, for family and friends, for Santa and presents, for contemplation and prayer. But for some, it can be a time for sadness, for people who are no longer with us, for a holiday spent alone, for worry about finances. For all of us, no matter what our circumstances, we can find solace in this very moment, the one we are in right now. If we can take a step back from the stories in our minds, the worries in our heads, the sadness in our hearts, -- breathe deep, and open ourselves to the potential in each moment. Then perhaps we can remember that each moment has the capacity for goodness and love, for forgiveness and healing, for possibility and hope. The past does not write the future, you do. Merry Christmas and Love to everyone. “Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” ―Edna Ferber
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It's that time of year again, and the to-do list might be looking quite long at the moment! It's very busy out and about, and during some time out in the stores yesterday I saw more than a few frayed tempers! A lady swore at me (in front of children) for getting in her way, and the cashier in the supermarket told me she couldn't wait for the day to end as so many people had been rude to her that day. I get it, crowded streets and shops, combined with the pressure of a never-ending to-do list form the perfect recipe for bad moods and short fuses, AND a perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness. As we go about our Christmas business, would it be possible to check in every hour or so to see how the mood is? If we find it's darkening, perhaps we could pause, take a belly breath, and remind ourselves spirit of Christmas - to share love and joy with family and friends. Make this feeling alive in your body, feel the warmth of it. Then perhaps it would be possible to soften the hard edges of anger and frustration, and see the humanity in each other - the cashier in the shop, the stranger in your way, the old lady counting out change at the till? See what a difference this attitude can have, not only for you, but for everyone. “If you can't find the spirit of the holidays in your heart, you'll never find it under a tree.” - Michael Holbrook |
The Weekly Minute is a blog I write each week with the aim of providing proven tools to help promote positive mental health.
The collection of short, practical mindfulness and therapy tools for self-reflection and self-improvement, can equip people to take their mental well-being into their own hands, and improve their quality of life. The Weekly Minute is posted here every Monday, or you can sign up to get it delivered to your inbox via the link below. Follow me on social media (see below) to make sure you don't miss one! Get the Weekly Minute delivered straight to your inbox, or follow it on social media!
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