Finding the good in what's here
This week I've been thinking a lot about the idea of living more fully in the present moment.
I've realised that I don't want to spend all my time working towards a good life. I want to enjoy the life I'm already living. And I think that's something many of us can relate to.
We're often looking ahead to the weekend, the next holiday, a new goal or a time when life might feel a little less busy. There's nothing wrong with having things to look forward to. I love making plans and having exciting things on the horizon! I also know how easy it is to become so focused on what's next that we forget to appreciate what's already here. And perhaps what's been on my mind most this week is that we don't have to wait until everything in life is wonderful to find moments worth treasuring. Sometimes those moments are especially precious when life is difficult.
The little things that stay with us
When I think about some of my happiest memories, they're not necessarily the big occasions or the things that went perfectly to plan. They're often quite simple.
Being somewhere beautiful with people I love. Sharing a meal. Laughing together. Having time to just be, without needing to rush anywhere. It's easy to overlook these moments when we're in the middle of them. Looking back, they're often the ones that mean the most. I've been reminding myself that nourishing our wellbeing isn't only about eating well, moving our bodies or getting enough rest, important as those things are.
It's also about making room for connection, enjoyment and experiences that give our lives meaning and perhaps being a little more aware of those moments while they're happening, rather than only appreciating them afterwards.
Contentment doesn't mean everything is perfect
In my yoga classes this week, we've been exploring Santosha, a concept from yoga philosophy often translated as contentment. I love this idea because contentment doesn't mean settling, giving up on our dreams or pretending that life is always good. It's about learning to appreciate what we have, even while recognising that some things might be difficult or that there are things we'd like to change. We can be grateful for what's here and still look forward to what's possible. I think there's something especially important in remembering that joy and sadness aren't always separate experiences.
Life can be incredibly hard, and there can still be moments of beauty, laughter, love and connection within it. Finding those moments doesn't take away from the difficult things, but sometimes they help us through them. That's something I've experienced very personally, and it's been on my mind as I've been planning a special gathering for December.
Creating moments that matter
On Sunday 20th December, I'll be hosting a Special Winter Solstice Gathering at My Yoga Place, alongside the wonderful yoga and mindfulness teacher Sonja Liekens.
We will start with a grounding guided meditation focused on compassion, followed by a gentle, festive yoga flow designed to bring warmth and ease to your body and mind.
And afterwards, we'll stay a while to enjoy mince pies, alcohol-free mulled wine and some time together. It will be a lovely way to pause during what can be such a busy time of year.
But there's a reason this particular gathering means so much to me. All proceeds will go to Calum's Cabin, a wonderful charity that provides beautiful holiday homes and support for families affected by childhood cancer. Calum's Cabin supported my own family when my son Aidan was ill. During an incredibly difficult time in our lives, we were able to spend time together there, away from some of the worries and routines that had become part of our everyday life. We made some very precious family memories.
It was Aidan's favourite place.
When I think about what it means to appreciate the moments we have, I think about those times. They didn't make everything we were going through disappear. But they gave us something wonderful in the middle of it all. Time together. A little breathing space. Moments of happiness and normality that I'll always treasure.
That's why supporting Calum's Cabin is so important to me and why I'm really looking forward to bringing people together for this gathering.
It feels like a lovely opportunity to share some warmth, kindness and connection at this time of year, while helping other families make memories of their own.
A little something to take into your week...
This week perhaps take a moment to ask yourself:
What am I looking forward to so much that I might be forgetting to enjoy what's here today?
What small moments in my life am I already grateful for?
It doesn't have to be anything extraordinary. Perhaps it's a conversation, a quiet morning, a favourite place or simply time with someone you love. We don't need to pretend life is perfect to appreciate the good that's here and we don't have to wait for everything to fall into place before we allow ourselves to enjoy it.
A special invitation — Winter Solstice Gathering 🤍
Sunday 20th December | 3 - 5pm | My Yoga Place, Ayr
I'd love you to join Sonja and me for a special gathering as we approach the Winter Solstice.
We'll share:
A festive yoga flow with me, bringing warmth and ease to the body.
A guided compassion-based meditation with Sonja.
Mince pies, alcohol-free mulled wine and time to connect afterwards.
All proceeds will go to Calum's Cabin, a charity very close to my heart.
Whether you come for the yoga, the chance to pause and reconnect, or simply to support this wonderful cause, I'd love to share the afternoon with you.
In the meantime, I hope you find a few moments to appreciate the life that's happening right now.
Natalie x
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