The holidays can be hard. They can be beautiful and rich. Joyous. Sad. Stressful. Peaceful. Whatever your experience is and whatever your traditions are, I invite you to practice caring for the kid in you. What do the younger parts of you want to tell you? What do they need?
An Experience of Mindfulness
I am lucky enough to have a part time job that includes sitting quietly in the woods for thirty to forty-five minutes. I lead or co-lead a group to a location with a stream or waterfall, an overlook or rocks to perch on. Everyone spreads out and finds their own place to sit quietly with themselves, pausing, reflecting, listening and being still.
The other day after the group split up, I sat down, leaned back and looked up at the trees. I appreciated the beauty of the green leaves and the sunlight shining through, but I also felt disconnected. It felt as though I was floating above my body and I had a sense of being "gone."