Kathleen Gardenswartz
"There
are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a
miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
— Albert Einstein
This
season means indulging in the things that make you feel good. It
means giving into the hedonistic pleasures of the season. It leads
us directly to being mindful of our senses, our most specialized and
innate tools that take in and decipher life experiences.
Enthusiastically embrace opportunities to bring comfort and entice
your senses this season.
Be
present and open yourself up to each celebration, observe and be
aware of how you are feeling and responsive to your body’s physical
cues. Increase your joy in the present by avoiding the things that
lessen it, the crazy relatives, long-lines in stores and living on
perpetual autopilot. Chose your holiday plans carefully and look to
give yourself and loved ones the most joy and peace possible. Think
deep breaths, long luxurious baths and relaxing aromatherapy oils.
All
deeply held memories of the season are somehow associated with our
physical senses, this is how we take in the world. In turn, those
sensory experiences affect our emotions, how we feel about our
memories of past holidays. Seek out the sensory experiences that
leave you feeling joy and comfort. Think back to the strongest and
happiest holiday memories and you will find at least one of your 5
senses at the center of them.
Envision
the beauty of the season.
The
holidays are filled with magnificence and splendor but often we miss
it because we move too fast, unaware of the glory that is in front of
us. The most beautiful moments require active awareness, being on
the lookout for special moments to catch beauty in progress. Slow
down, look around and be present to see the enthusiastic and generous
smile, the cold glow of a child’s face and lights that illuminate
our coldest season.
Sound
of the Season.
Delight
in the sounds of the season, the child’s choir, the bursts of
laughter around the table as guests linger after an amazing meal.
Think of the sounds of the season and revel in them. The quiet,
noiseless anticipation on Christmas Eve and the sound of the match
bursting into flame to light the first candle on the Chanukah
menorah.
Touch.
The
textures of the holiday should give us pause. They are soft and
luxurious blankets, fluffy and warm sweaters and sharp and crisp like
paper. The clean lines of holiday paper are at once carefully
wrapped to hide desired gifts and then crunched and waded up in
frenzied piles as those prized gifts are once again revealed to their
audience. The needles of a tree and the cold, slippery icicles both
bring us back to comforting days.
Find a
fantastic present to give to someone special. Don’t stress about
the process but instead revel in the opportunity to give it to
someone you love. Life is so short and the moments we have to
express and display our exhuberance for someone we love are fleeting.
Enjoy wrapping the present, find special paper that they will want
to keep to remember you and place it in clear view as this present
waits to be opened.
Taste.
Give
into your weakness and longings, but be mindful of your enjoyment of
them. The happiest people don’t hide their pleasure, instead they
revel in delicious food. They make it, share it and savor each bite.
Take time to prepare a special meal that incorporates all your
favorite seasonal foods. Invite guests and take pride and joy in the
opportunity to be with friends and family and share in its bounty.
There is true satisfaction in watching others enjoy a meal that you
have caringly prepared. Comfort foods bring us back in time to the
days when our responsibilities were few and others were enabling a
holiday filled with joyous surprises.
Smell
When I
think of the holidays I get a cozy feeling just remembering the smell
of juniper wood wafting through the air. That smell immediately
takes me back to my childhood home’s cozy fireplace and long runs
in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. In those quiet, peaceful
moments it is the scents of the season that bring the strongest
memories. Think of the deep, rich scents of the holidays and seek
out ways to replicate them this season. The glowing light of a
fire’s glow and its flickering reflection in a child’s eye gives
us pause and comfort.
The
holiday is filled with wonder and sharing. Make the most of your
holiday by submitting to and enjoying the pleasures it brings.
Surround yourself with soft luxurious textures and indulge all your
senses. Be mindful and conscious of the beauty in your life and give
thanks.
