The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is the practice of creating warm, comfortable, cozy spaces in which to renew one’s spirit. These spaces capture both physical and metaphorical warmth, and are not relegated to the wintertime. They include moments of tender and safe intimacy as well as warm blankets and candlelight.
How might you create hygge in your space today?
When we breathe in, we inspire. When we practice breathing, we respire. Spirit and breath are connected in language, and also in practice.
Take a few moments to breathe slowly and deeply. Focus only on your breath as you do this seven times. How have you been inspired by focusing on your breath?
I know a clown who works with adults to use humor in their lives. Recently, a group of children were asked why they think she might choose to work with adults. They responded that perhaps it was because children have an easier time laughing and playing, and adults need to remember how to do that.
Where do you find joy and laughter? Think about a recent moment of joy and hold it in your heart for a moment.
Each year on February 2, people congregate outside of the holes of groundhogs kept in various zoos to participate in the modern reenactment of ancient rituals that said that these furry rodents could predict the weather. Whatever one does or does not believe about the forecasting power of the groundhog, the ritual itself is a reminder that winter will end and spring is on the way.
When have you participated in a ritual whose form filled your spirit (if not its content)?
At the end of staff meetings in a job I used to have, we used to list things we liked and didn’t about our day, as well as what we called “signs of the spirit,” moments when things just felt right, when things fell into place unexpectedly, or when it felt like we were experiencing grace.
How have you experienced “signs of the spirit?”
