“Intention is one of the most powerful forces there is. What you mean when you do a thing will always determine the outcome. The law creates the world.” – Brenna Yovanhoff
Heading into the Christmas week after a very complicated year certainly feels different than “normal”. Usually this week is filled with family reunions of all sizes, warm hugs from loved ones near and far, the shared experience of a Christmas meal or church service, and spending quality time with the ones we love. This year, it most likely looks different for you. Perhaps isolation for 14 days leading up to Christmas only to spend it 6 feet apart and unable to see the smiles underneath a mask, or maybe a Christmas zoom call with not so great internet speed, or maybe this year Christmas will be spent finding inner peace as you grace the holiday with your roommate(s) or partners.
While I was unwinding one night last week doing a quick yoga stretch compilation before bed, I got to thinking about how we often set “intentions” for a yoga practice. Sometimes my intention is my breathing, sometimes it’s core strength, and sometimes it’s simply to refocus. While I thought about my yoga intention for that evening, I started thinking about how my favorite time of year, Christmas, doesn’t feel so bright this year. But maybe we can just add a touch of additional light by changing the way we think about Christmas this year.
I’d like to challenge you to join me in something this week. Join me in setting a few intentions for your holiday celebrations. Weather you’ll be spending it on your couch in pjs or at a dining room table across from family, determine an intention, or two, or three that you’d like to set to help bring light back to Christmas this year. It’s easy to get lost in the bluster of the differences this year has brought; but let’s not let that damper the most wonderful time of the year.
I’ve had the chance to reflect on some of my past Christmas memories and use them to guide my intention setting for this year. In case you’d like some ideas for what you might chose as your intention this week, I’ve outlined my choices for Christmas of 2020 below:
–Listen to Laughter
I love hearing people laugh at all times of the year, but there’s something special about a genuine laugh or giggle with family. Maybe that’s because I’m a sucker for my little sisters belly laugh, but this Christmas I have chosen to intentionally listen to the laughter that surrounds me. Some of it may be a result of bad dad jokes or some from stories told about old memories, nonetheless I will be on extra alert for the laughs, soaking up the unique sounds they bring, and the warm feeling they give.
–Savor the Flavors
This might be the most tangible of my intentions, but no less important than the rest. The holidays, especially Christmas, are a time associated with the memories of certain foods and flavors. As a little kid, the minty fresh peppermint taste lingered in my mouth for days on end as teachers and classmates handed out candy canes. As I got older I began to look forward to the peanut butter blossom cookies my mom and I would make and taste test together. Over the course of the last few years I’ve grown a greater appreciation for the work that goes into making the Christmas meal(s) simply because I’ve been able to try my hand at helping with the prep of the meal. So, this year-I am setting an intention to really, truly savor each unique flavor palette. Sometimes I get so excited about all of the yummy food in front of me I eat it so fast and it’s suddenly gone!! Not this year. I want to enjoy each bite as it’s own and appreciate the amazing variety we get to enjoy together.
–Notice the Absence
This one is sort of a two fold intention, if you will. While the absence of many things will be very clear, I think this can serve as a double sided intention. One side being: consciously noticing the absence of physical family members, friends, smiles, and the usual hustle and bustle of a family gathering. While it might bring sadness, it can also bring an appreciation for all of the joy that a “normal” Christmas might bring. In another part, I think it’s safe to say the true meaning of the holidays might’ve changed for some of us this year. Perhaps this year we might be able to lean into the absence of things like greed, and the usual expectation for physical gifts, etc and come to notice the true meaning of the season. I’ll let you reflect and determine your own meaning this year.
So, will you accept my challenge? Set a few intentions for this Christmas and see what it might do for you this season.
Aside from setting my Christmas intentions, I’ve also been up to something for 2021. My boyfriend, Bobby, and I have decided to launch a YouTube channel! It’s call Touring our Twenties, and will feature a variety of fun, adventurous, and educational videos! Some things you might find on our channel will be highlight reels from trips we take, cooking with a new recipe-or a favorite recipe, fireside chats with some folks we admire, and really anything we find enjoyable and think you might like too! I’ve linked our channel below-subscribe to our channel to get a notification that we’ve uploaded a new video!! Don’t worry, it won’t be anything more than once or twice a month! I’ve also linked our first video which is a short highlight reel of our trip up north this summer-something we’ve been watching to remind us of all the good things in life and nature. Go have yourself a look 🙂
Channel: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCs8pQtvdsYXnxggVQLmP07g/videos
First video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yc-9yUNfzdY&feature=youtu.be
In additional news, running has been a cascade of continuous highs and lows. For instance, on Wednesday after work I was pretty pooped out and not feeling like much of anything. Bobby on the other hand decided to have a burst of energy and was relentless about me joining him. After a solid 20 minutes of me choosing to be difficult and resistant, somehow he convinced me to go and as always, I felt so much better afterwards. Even thought it was just one little mile, it continues to prove to be mighty. ——— on the flip side, I have my good days too, like this morning! We set the alarms for 5:30 and hit the sidewalks around 5:45 as a promise to ourselves that we would soak up all the decent weather possible. Well when it’s 36 degrees at 5:45am on December 21st, you take advantage of it!! I felt great and had a definite pep in my step while bobbo( my name of choice for bobby) was experiencing the “typical” Josie mindset. In between the two stories I’ve mentioned, we’ve compiled a handful of short runs, usually one milers, but on occasion a 2 or 2.5er. As we near the new year we both have new goals to tackle-so I’m enjoying the current mindset of “working out when I feel like it” instead of on a training plan. To say the least, quarantine has shown its presence in our world of health and fitness, so we’re looking ahead to 2021 for improvements all around.
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I hope this has brought you your own reflection on what Christmas means to you, and maybe you, too, will set intentions for this week. Wishing you and your loved ones nothing short of a Merry Christmas if that is what you choose to celebrate. Find peace, joy, and love this Christmas-I know we all need a little extra this time around so don’t hold back giving.
Take care.
Xoxo
Jos
Josie's Journey 