Coping With The Holidays (Day 4)
Christmas is a beautiful holiday. Imagine the fresh, untouched snow glistening in Christmas lights. Picture the halls decked in holly, steaming cups of hot chocolate, colourful gift wrapped presents bundled below the extravagant Christmas tree and the meticulously organized table setting with a juicy turkey taking centre stage. Christmas makes for numerous photo-ops and Snaps. But that's just it though. While surrounded by the beauty, we end up only enjoying it through our phone screens. Not only that, with every scroll and every incoming Snap, we also take a peek into the Christmas' of our friends and other family members, and undeniably compare ours to theirs. We then only enjoy Christmas passively.
It is possible to enjoy Christmas mindfully. Embrace your senses to truly take in the moment. Entice your sense of sight by taking in the array of colours that Christmas brings. From ornaments to gift wraps, from poinsettias to outdoor lights, there's a beautiful sight wherever you are. What about our sense of smell? Take a whiff of the sugar cookies baking in the oven and stewing apple cider. I particularly love the smell of a fresh evergreen Christmas tree and burning firewood. My favourite sense, sense of taste, is activated with that first bite of fruit cake and sip of hot chocolate. You can also enjoy Christmas through the sense of touch. Feel the warmth of the fire from your fireplace, the softness of your mother when she embraces you with a hug, the gentle touch of a snowflake falling onto your cheek. I've saved the best for last - hearing Christmas. Be a fly on the wall and simply listen. Listen to the joy in everyone's voices. The chatter among your family members, the excitement in every reunion, and the endless laughter shared among you all. Tie all these senses together and create a holistic Christmas experience. When we turn to our smart devices to capture these moments, you're only capturing 1 of the 5 senses- sight. You're missing out on 80% of the moment. Worse than that, because you are focused on taking the perfect picture, you're not even present in the moment.
For this holiday season, try enjoying it mindfully. Embrace all your senses and enjoy the season to it's full potential. I guarantee no camera can capture what you'll be feeling.