Tea With Sweet Santa

Give the gift of your Presence this season 

December is upon us! Last night, as I sat and pondered the Christmas display decorating our fireplace, gratitude and joy were strong. Eve of November 30, and I'm embellished and ready for the treasures of the holiday. I'm giving myself, my family and my community the greatest gift I can possibly imagine--strengthening the gift of my Presence.

I've begun 90 days of restoration that started on November 21 in the form of an at home Winter Retreat Plum Village style. What's the winter retreat entail?

• Time each day to sit comfortably in a way that is restful
• Time each week with people who restore and foster joy (thank you, LTMC:)
• Time each week to listen to a loving and tender talk given by one of my teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh
• Time to contemplate and journal
• Time to sing, create, write and nourish myself and others

Time and space are two enduring factors over these next 90 days. To give myself and others more space and time during the holiday hub-bub season has helped grow my compassion and joy. Since making this commitment the treasures have been many. One is that I've begun experimenting with Haiku--17 syllables condensed into 3 lines of 5/7/5 units. Here's an example:

(5) Tea with Sweet Santa--
(7) the only gift exchange is

(5) our joyful presence. 

Haiku will be the theme for my 2018 Inner Constellation blessings,* beginning this month of December ('cause I'm excited to start!) Haiku is the perfect tool for perfecting the beauty and simplicity of language, which has been a focus of my writings for the last few years. 

It's not too late to begin a winter retreat, heck it's only December 1, and the holidays may be more magical as a result. If you would like support on your journey, the following may be of interest:

• Weekly community gathering every Wednesday from 7:30a-8:30a with Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community
• Winter Retreat 2018 with Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community on Saturday, January 6 (more details coming...)
• I would also be happy to meet with you privately and assist in whatever ways best benefit your personal practice. 

May your December be peaceful and free with the possibility of leisurely tea with sweet Santa....

*Mon-Fri short and sweet, uplifting ditties gifted to your inbox. If you would like to be added, please contact me.