February continues to be an ideal time to continue enjoying hygge experiences and traditions that promote our well-being…..soup,  socks, sweaters… anything that boosts our feeling of comfort, joy, contentment, personal wholeness and, one of our main fundamental needs, safety. Certainly, the fire has been burning regularly in my little hygge hut with snuggly socks, slippers and blankets aplenty. 

This month is also a chance to be mindful and notice the subtle outdoor changes that hint that spring is round the corner… snowdrops emerging like little lanterns of light and hope, vivid crocuses set off by a grey/green canvas of winter, catkins bobbing and bouncing in the strong winds and the first pink blossom is appearing. 

 

So where does the idea of mindfulness, that dates back 2500 years in ancient eastern philosophy, come from in our modern culture? Who can we be grateful to for weaving mindfulness into our lives? One important proponent was Thich Nhat Hanh, the Zen Buddhist monk, poet and peace activist. Sadly, he recently died on Saturday 22nd January 2022 aged 95. Through his teachings and literary work, his legacy will remain for generations to come and in particular we greatly appreciate him bringing mindfulness into the daily life of innumerable people worldwide. He defined it as identifying and distancing oneself from certain thoughts without judgement. He used it to promote peace, clarity, compassion and courage – aspirations that enrich the outcomes of hygge and can be achieved by mindful meditation through tapping.

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