Make sure you are sitting in a comfortable position.
Relax the muscles on your face.
Drop your shoulders.
If you want,
Close your eyes or simply soften your gaze.
Put your hands on your tummy and take three deep breaths.
Feel how your tummy rises when you inhale and falls when you exhale.
Breathe in and out.
In and out.
It's Christmas Eve and you've decided to go for a walk.
Picture yourself outside your home.
Take a moment to look around.
Soft snow has covered the chimney tops.
It looks like you'll be able to enjoy a white Christmas this year after all.
There is a chill in the air so you wrap your woollen scarf a little tighter around your neck to keep you warm.
You catch sight of plumes of smoke appearing from your neighbour's chimney.
You peek through their window and see a blazing fireplace and children hanging up their stockings.
You remember the time when you were a young child and used to enjoy this special festive occasion with your family.
Heartwarming memories lark into your mind and make you smile.
You continue walking down the road and soon you hear one of your favourite Christmas carols.
It must be coming from the nearby church.
As you get closer you notice a group of young carol singers.
Each of them is wearing a matching red Santa hat and a scarf.
You stop for a minute to appreciate their yuletide performance.
After enjoying this free concert you head off to the town centre.
There are a few light shoppers wandering in the high street.
Some of them stop by the brightly lit shop windows and admire the beautifully arranged decorations.
Your nose catches a sweet aroma.
Further down the road you spot an elderly lady selling mince pies,
Malt wine and your favourite hot chocolate.
You walk towards her stall and feel tempted to indulge yourself in something sweet.
The woman kindly offers you to taste some mince pie.
You gladly accept it and take a bite.
An explosion of flavours takes place as soon as the fruity filling reaches your tongue.
The crumbly buttery pastry melts in your mouth.
You feel a temptation to buy one immediately along with a cup of hot chocolate which is covered generously with lots of white and pink marshmallows.
Armed with a sweet treat you make your way to the big Christmas tree in the town square.
Your attention is drawn to the shiny angel right at the very top.
The tree looks magical with all the sparkling bubbles,
Tinsel and ornaments it's been decorated with.
Suddenly you hear a dog whimpering nearby.
When you look to your right you notice a homeless woman sitting in front of the old cinema.
She looks so lonely,
So unhappy.
Her bedraggled clothes and hair are a sign she's been living rough for a long time.
Your heart sinks when you see her sad eyes and you decide to go back to the stall and buy a mince pie and some malt wine for her.
When the stall owner finds out who you're purchasing the yummy treat for,
Puts two extra mince pies in the bag.
As soon as you approach the homeless woman,
Her dog starts wagging its tail.
You're not surprised.
The smell is irresistible.
You hang her the small bag and her eyes smile.
She's so touched by your random act of kindness,
The tiny tear rolls down her left cheek.
She thanks you wholeheartedly and wishes you Merry Christmas.
When you leave her you can't help thinking about all the other people who are spending Christmas Eve on the streets.
Alone or far from their families.
Your heart is filled with gratitude for all the blessings in your life.
Being healthy and surrounded by friends and loved ones.
You make an intention for a peaceful,
Happy and healthy new year for everyone on this beautiful planet.
And I'll bring your awareness to your breath again.
Breathe in.
One,
Two,
Three.
And then breathe out.
In and out.
Start to wake up your body gradually.
Move your fingers,
Wiggle your toes.
You can open your eyes and continue your day with a feeling of gratitude.
