Kyle Norris, a talented reporter, chats with Buddhist Lama Rod Owens, known for his insights on mindfulness, and cartoonist Nicole J. Georges, who shares creative reflection techniques. They discuss the importance of stillness and self-care during the holiday season. Listeners are encouraged to carve out solitary moments to rejuvenate amidst holiday chaos. Unique exercises, including journaling and drawing, help reflect on accomplishments and set intentions for the new year, promoting personal growth and clarity.
Engaging in solitary reflection tasks, like drawing and journaling, enhances personal growth by helping individuals recognize their achievements and feelings from the past year.
Incorporating laid-back meditation and symbolic practices, such as lighting a candle, can foster gratitude and healing while preparing for aspirations in the new year.
Deep dives
Embracing Sweet Alone Time
Creating opportunities for solitary reflection is essential for personal growth, especially during the quiet period between Christmas and New Year's. Engaging in activities like journaling, drawing, or taking a solitary walk allows individuals to check in with their feelings and desires without the distractions of social obligations. This period of alone time, referred to as 'sweet alone time,' helps individuals recognize their personal achievements over the past year, no matter how small. These moments enable a clearer understanding of oneself, providing space to cultivate new ideas and set intentions for the upcoming year.
Reflective Drawing Exercise
Drawing can serve as an effective tool for reflection and self-expression. To engage in this practice, individuals are guided to divide their paper into sections and record significant events, sensory experiences, and noteworthy overheard comments from the past year. This exercise encourages a deeper connection to one’s experiences, promoting mindfulness and creative contemplation. By allowing for an open-minded approach to art without self-criticism, people can embrace the therapeutic aspect of drawing and acknowledge their narratives creatively.
Informal Meditation and Gratitude
Implementing a laid-back meditation session can foster healing and gratitude while allowing individuals to process their year. Lighting a candle during this reflective time symbolizes joy and serves as a focus point for contemplating what one is thankful for, even amidst challenges. Amid this quiet period, it’s important to acknowledge disappointments and grief from the past year, creating space for these feelings. This practice encourages individuals to visualize and let go of burdens, paving the way for aspirations and dreams for the future, thus shaping a more intentional path ahead.
The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is a good time to check in with yourself and take stock of the year. Reporter Kyle Norris talks with Buddhist Lama Rod Owens about how to get reflective during this time. Plus, a creative exercise to help you look back from cartoonist Nicole J. Georges.
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