Last month’s piece was about planning that mindful Christmas: this month we’re focusing on bringing that plan together.
As the big day looms, our friends and family may appear to have it all sorted already and you may feel like you have nothing done in comparison – no tree up, no cards written, no presents bought; never mind wrapped!
Remind yourself at this point to pause and breathe. Remember the plan. You are not getting caught up in the hype of everyone else’s Christmas. You are very deliberately planning to experience your own version of Christmas, so make each day in December count – do what you can each day, be who you are, and remember there is no need to compare yourself to others or feel inadequate that you are not as frantically getting things done as other people seem to be.
In December it is very easy to think the whole month is about one day, and while 25 December is Christmas per se, it should be a culmination of a month’s worth of Christmassy build up. But have you ever noticed the thoughts that go across your mind in these early weeks of December? Do you ever find yourself wishing Christmas was just over? If you do, try to remind yourself that all the hype, rushing and pressure to be perfect are not mandatory, nor are they part of the true spirit of peace and goodwill.
Of course you can make a list of all the things that are necessary to have completed before 25 December: the present shopping and wrapping, the house cleaning, the preparation for guests, the grocery shopping etc – but do not let all of this planning detract from your opportunity to experience Christmas one moment at a time.
Now, I know from my own experience that often we only really begin to enjoy Christmas when we’re on the pudding course on 25 December – not just due to a sweet tooth, but because up until then there is so much to do! The turkey, the ham, the potatoes, all the vegetables and gravy and stuffing and cranberry sauce and setting the table and the ones who won’t eat this or don’t like that – not to mention the vegan who’s coming to dinner!
So, make a plan now to spread the load when it comes to entertaining and make a plan about your presents, if you haven’t already done so. Set the intention to choose your presents with love and inject the goodwill back into Christmas. With these strategies in mind, you might suddenly realise the stress of Christmas has evaporated.
A Mindful Merry Christmas Exercise
Four awareness practices when standing in those December queues or sitting in traffic jams.
1 Notice what the soles of your feet feel like against your shoes.
2 Notice the sounds you hear and try to just allow them to be as a sound, resisting the urge to label what exact sound it is and where it’s coming from.
3 Notice what emotions are present for you and remember it’s okay to feel frustrated being in this queue. However you feel at this moment, let it be, remembering no emotion is a bad emotion and, like clouds in the sky, it will move along in its own time.
4 Notice your breath. There is no need to change it in any way, but just feel that full sensation of in breath as your chest rises and tummy fills. Then as you breathe out, notice how your chest and tummy fall and how you can feel that relative warmth of the air as it exits through your nostrils.
You can carry out these practices in any order. You may actually notice that you particularly like noticing your breath more than the other practices. If that works for you, do that and only that, if you wish. It’s your practice.
Physical Exercise
I’m returning to that favoured exercise of mine: walking. It’s lovely to get out at this time of year and see how nature is coping with the ravages of winter and the new year, and to see with your own eyes that nature seems to just be getting on with things. It is equally refreshing to get outside and discover those beautifully frosty days when your breath blows out small clouds in the air, and your cheeks and nose grow red from the wind. The whole world is different in winter, and even those regular walks you’ve done a 100 times seem new and exciting. And it is without d a doubt always heavenly to come back in out of the cold and realise the true warmth of your own home, put the kettle on and have a nice cuppa with the ones you love, or to sit in glorious solitude before the storm of visitors awakening or arriving.
Wishing you a very happy, peaceful and fun Christmas 2016. May all your wishes come true. CL
>> Something to ponder
A mindful Christmas list
1. Share (and allow the sharing of) the load when it comes to entertaining.2. Remember that enough really is enough. We don’t need huge amounts of everything.3. When the whole world stops for a day and gives you the opportunity to be fully present with your family, take that opportunity, be fully present – that is the true gift of Christmas. Take time to pause, appreciate and be thankful for the fact you have people in your life to share Christmas with. They may have their imperfections, but so does everyone.4. Give more pleasure, fond memories, kind words, smiles and hugs this Christmas. People may not always remember what you said or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.5. This Christmas, try to focus on what is going well right now in the moment, on the most uplifting parts of the day. Allow everything else to fade into the background.6. Keep it simple. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” - Leonardo Da Vinci.
Last month’s piece was about planning that mindful Christmas: this month we’re focusing on bringing that plan together.
As the big day looms, our friends and family may appear to have it all sorted already and you may feel like you have nothing done in comparison – no tree up, no cards written, no presents bought; never mind wrapped!
Remind yourself at this point to pause and breathe. Remember the plan. You are not getting caught up in the hype of everyone else’s Christmas. You are very deliberately planning to experience your own version of Christmas, so make each day in December count – do what you can each day, be who you are, and remember there is no need to compare yourself to others or feel inadequate that you are not as frantically getting things done as other people seem to be.
In December it is very easy to think the whole month is about one day, and while 25 December is Christmas per se, it should be a culmination of a month’s worth of Christmassy build up. But have you ever noticed the thoughts that go across your mind in these early weeks of December? Do you ever find yourself wishing Christmas was just over? If you do, try to remind yourself that all the hype, rushing and pressure to be perfect are not mandatory, nor are they part of the true spirit of peace and goodwill.
Of course you can make a list of all the things that are necessary to have completed before 25 December: the present shopping and wrapping, the house cleaning, the preparation for guests, the grocery shopping etc – but do not let all of this planning detract from your opportunity to experience Christmas one moment at a time.
Now, I know from my own experience that often we only really begin to enjoy Christmas when we’re on the pudding course on 25 December – not just due to a sweet tooth, but because up until then there is so much to do! The turkey, the ham, the potatoes, all the vegetables and gravy and stuffing and cranberry sauce and setting the table and the ones who won’t eat this or don’t like that – not to mention the vegan who’s coming to dinner!
So, make a plan now to spread the load when it comes to entertaining and make a plan about your presents, if you haven’t already done so. Set the intention to choose your presents with love and inject the goodwill back into Christmas. With these strategies in mind, you might suddenly realise the stress of Christmas has evaporated.
A Mindful Merry Christmas Exercise
Four awareness practices when standing in those December queues or sitting in traffic jams.
1 Notice what the soles of your feet feel like against your shoes.
2 Notice the sounds you hear and try to just allow them to be as a sound, resisting the urge to label what exact sound it is and where it’s coming from.
3 Notice what emotions are present for you and remember it’s okay to feel frustrated being in this queue. However you feel at this moment, let it be, remembering no emotion is a bad emotion and, like clouds in the sky, it will move along in its own time.
4 Notice your breath. There is no need to change it in any way, but just feel that full sensation of in breath as your chest rises and tummy fills. Then as you breathe out, notice how your chest and tummy fall and how you can feel that relative warmth of the air as it exits through your nostrils.
You can carry out these practices in any order. You may actually notice that you particularly like noticing your breath more than the other practices. If that works for you, do that and only that, if you wish. It’s your practice.
Physical Exercise
I’m returning to that favoured exercise of mine: walking. It’s lovely to get out at this time of year and see how nature is coping with the ravages of winter and the new year, and to see with your own eyes that nature seems to just be getting on with things. It is equally refreshing to get outside and discover those beautifully frosty days when your breath blows out small clouds in the air, and your cheeks and nose grow red from the wind. The whole world is different in winter, and even those regular walks you’ve done a 100 times seem new and exciting. And it is without d a doubt always heavenly to come back in out of the cold and realise the true warmth of your own home, put the kettle on and have a nice cuppa with the ones you love, or to sit in glorious solitude before the storm of visitors awakening or arriving.
Wishing you a very happy, peaceful and fun Christmas 2016. May all your wishes come true. CL
>> Something to ponder
A mindful Christmas list
1. Share (and allow the sharing of) the load when it comes to entertaining.2. Remember that enough really is enough. We don’t need huge amounts of everything.3. When the whole world stops for a day and gives you the opportunity to be fully present with your family, take that opportunity, be fully present – that is the true gift of Christmas. Take time to pause, appreciate and be thankful for the fact you have people in your life to share Christmas with. They may have their imperfections, but so does everyone.4. Give more pleasure, fond memories, kind words, smiles and hugs this Christmas. People may not always remember what you said or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.5. This Christmas, try to focus on what is going well right now in the moment, on the most uplifting parts of the day. Allow everything else to fade into the background.6. Keep it simple. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” - Leonardo Da Vinci. 
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