Classic book! I remember my Sensei giving that one to me to read when I was a Yellow-belt.

That is wonderful you were able to spend time with your family over Christmas. They will always be there whenever you need them. Enjoy your vacation with them.

You’re absolutely right, being thankful and giving to others is good for all involved. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

I get this same feeling around the holidays. The combination of the cold weather and the feeling of being blessed with good food, shelter, health, and a loving family and community really puts things into perspective about how lucky I am.

What a beautiful place to walk and hike. It is refreshing and relaxing to connect with nature. Being unplugged lets you hear and enjoy all nature has to offer. On walks I often listen to the birds, look at the trees as they change seasons, smell the flowers, and talk to neighbors. Relax and enjoy life.

I hit this wall sometimes in meditation as well. There is a part of us that is uncomfortable doing “nothing” and will fight tooth and nail to get us doing “something”. There is something about being extra productive that gives us a feeling of reward. Sometimes, running or working out without an audio book or music somehow feels less productive with our time. But there is value in embracing the actively fully. I’ve trained in a lot of dojo that like to pump music throughout the whole class. I have nothing against working out to music–but karate has its own “sound”. It’s nice to take a vacation from all of that extra stimulation sometime and just enjoy the base activity for what it is.