Winter is a time when we tend to hunker down. The days seem so short and the fullness of our life is compressed, all of our responsibilities seem like they have to fit into a much smaller time window. What often gets lost in the squeeze is the time we give to ourselves to care for ourselves, to do the things that bring us joy, that bring us pleasure. In fact, something I've come to know about myself is that a sense of embarrassment or shame, often arises when I even entertain

Make yourself comfortable. Find a place to sit or lie down where your body is at ease. With your eyes open, take a few moments to notice where you are. Allow your head and eyes to move and turn as you take in your surroundings. When you feel ready, soften or close your eyes. Become aware of the places where your body makes contact with the surface of the chair or the floor. Allow this contact to really sink in, feeling the edges or the boundaries of your body, your skin, in c