“We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.” — Bill Watterson
With the fast approach of the holiday season, life can get busy. It can get very busy. From getting shopping done to attending celebrations and parties - it’s not uncommon to look at your calendar and see that you’ve booked yourself solid.
So, what do you do now? How do you manage to survive these upcoming weeks? How do you intend to enjoy this time?
Here is an idea to add a little more cheer to your holiday.
Be mindful. Be present. Focus your attention in the moment - this will allow you to respond to the space around you with a grateful and caring attitude, not a reactive response built up from negative energy from the moments before.
Is the intention to enjoy and appreciate this holiday or to be so stressed and reactive that the season passes you by?
If you made the choice to be involved in a positive and grateful way; Here are a few basic steps to ensure that you enjoy the moments in this holiday season:
Step 1. Take a deep breath. Feel that breath inside your chest and let is slowly escape your mouth.
Step 2. Look around you, what are you doing at this exact moment in time? What does it sound like? What does it physically feel like?
Step 3. Pause. Reflect. What about this moment feels good to you? What about this moment are you grateful for?
Step 4: Repeat.
It can be that simple. So add this moment mindful practice to your Holiday To-Do List and set your intention to experience what this season means to you.
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life
Written by Bliss Specialist Jenna Luelo MA.