In this crazy busy season, it is important to take time to enjoy – no relish – each day. I can hear you saying “Enjoy! Relish! You are crazy! Too many things to do. Too much shopping, cooking, wrapping! I’m busy trying to keep all my relatives and kids from fighting! Enjoy the day?!?!??”
Yes, things are crazy and busy. But, there will only be ONE 2010 holiday season. I would suggest that you take a minute or two out of each day, sit down, take a deep breath, let it out slowly and clear your mind. Take a look around you and see what is going on. Do it as a third party observer – one outside the situations and hustle bustle. Find something to smile about – even if it is just that everyone will be gone in a couple of days.
This is also a time of special foods. Foods that we only get once a year. When you get one of those favorite dishes, take a minute and relish it mindfully. Look at it – take a snapshot in your mind. Smell it. When you put it in your mouth, notice the textures and how they change as you eat it. Think about all that went into making it and putting it on the table for you. Not just the making but all the way back to the production of the grain, chocolate, coffee, etc. Take your time relishing that food. You could turn this into a family affair. Have each person choose their favorite item and go around the table describing what they like most about it – and talk about how it looks, smells, feels as you cut it with your fork and in your mouth, how it tastes and how the taste changes. Rather than just shoveling in the food and not tasting it, have everyone slow for a minute and enjoy the bounty on the table.
You can do these things any time of year. Relish every day, every week, every month, every year. We only get each day once, why not relish it?
I wish you and yours a holiday season filled with love, joy, happiness, and fun!