Author: clfuu

With mindfulness, you can establish yourself in the present in order to touch the wonders of life that are available in that moment.
—Thich Nhat Hanh

Where do you touch wonder right here, right now?

An ordinary grasshopper looks like an armored alien if you get close enough. With a magnifying glass your own hand turns into a topography of rivers and tributaries. Whole worlds of wonder exist that we never see because we never look closely enough.

What tiny thing has awakened your sense of wonder?

The African-American holiday of Kwanzaa celebrates the principles of Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith.

What principles would you celebrate if you were creating your own seven day holiday?

Face it, Santa can’t do it all on his own. He needs helpers, elves who can carry out all the details. Elves who cook for families or for the homeless shelter. Elves who listen carefully to the hopes of small children. Elves who make merry and elves who comfort. Elves who look for ways to help without even being asked. Yep, most of what we think of as Christmas is managed by elves.

Who are the special elves in your life?

For a precious moment, all is still. The children are finally asleep. Everything that needs to be assembled has taken on its proper form, and the mysterious extra screw is put away. Santa has, mysteriously, come and gone, along with a cookie and a carrot for the reindeer. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Do you have any special rituals for Christmas Eve?