On newsletter writing days, I do my best to avoid emails and other distractions. However, this morning, I indulged in a quick glance and was delighted to find Dictionary.com’s word of the day: “zazen.” As someone who collects “z” and “x” words for Scrabble™ victories, this was a welcome discovery!
Zazen refers to meditation in a prescribed, cross-legged posture. The word comes from Japanese—“za” meaning seat or seated, and “zen”, derived from Sanskrit, meaning thought or meditation. A fitting reminder that during the busy holiday season, we could all use a little more mindfulness.
And speaking of the holidays, here are some thoughtful reflections on the season:
Reflections on the Holidays
“I always look forward to the holiday season with a mixture of pleasant anticipation and slight foreboding. It is wonderful to cultivate an awareness of the many things in our lives for which we feel grateful—that’s the good stuff—but there is always too much food, and possibly some raised expectations about visits with loved ones that can become charged and ultimately disappoint. I’m describing myself, of course…”
— Michael Sieverts, Qigong practitioner
“Holidays are about experiences and people and tuning in to what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch.”
— Evelyn Glennie, percussionist
“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.”
— Oren Arnold, journalist
“…So during this upcoming holiday season of thanksgiving and celebration, let’s not forget to take a moment to reflect, celebrate, and give thanks for the things that truly matter most—our life, our health, our friends, and our families.”
— Jeff Novick, M.S., R.D.
“As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December’s bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation—and people to whom we are worth the same.”
— Donald E. Westlake, novelist
“Love the giver more than the gift.”
— Brigham Young
As the season unfolds, let’s embrace zazen, gratitude, and the connections that make the holidays truly meaningful.
