Month: December 2024

Happy Soul Food for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa week!

GUEST HOUSE by Rumi:

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

This is what Gift Bliss Looks Like:

MentalHealth.com on X: “Adorable. Look at how happy she is https://t.co/cgfYINW1BG” / X

𝕐o̴g̴ on X: “Best present ever..🐶🐾🎁😍 https://t.co/CeFzUP122m” / X

7 of our best science-based tips for mental and cognitive health:
Learn how mindfulness, sleep and other simple changes can improve your mental and cognitive well-being.

Our best tips for cognitive health – The Washington Post

Happy Holidays Sitters from Eric K:

As we glide into the final days of 2024, I’m keen to remind us that meditation isn’t another task to check off our list, but a devotion to the art of being.

Like our Pacific ocean’s tides – ebbing and flowing day in and day out – our practice trains us to return, again and again, to being rooted, to rising, and to relaxing into experience. 
We sit not to become better, but to remember that we are already whole. 

Each breath, each moment, is an invitation to waking up to reality – to meet life as it is, with open hearts and open minds. 
In 2025, I invoke for us all to keep our practice steady, like the sun rising each morning. 

It is this gentle devotion that beckons the deepest truth and nurtures a peace within us.
With warmth and presence,

Eric

Thanks this week go to Eric K for reminding us why we practice, and to all of you who share the soul food spirit of love and purpose every day.

Please pay it forward and happy holidays everyone!

Love,

Neville

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
X: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“God made the world for the delight of human beings.”—Mother Teresa

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

A Solstice Blessing by Padriag O’ Tuama:

As night stretches here,
day contracts elsewhere.
And in their night, we are
bathed in light. In all nights
there is light, in long days
there can be ache too.
For you, we call the sun
to stand still a while, and
the moon too, and stars, and
the waters and the heavens.
Hells as well — just for a
second, just for a breath.
May that breath rest you.
And may each breath rest you,
as it has until now, and now
and now. This one, after
that one, after that one after
that.

A simple exercise from Yale’s Happiness Lab will help you make decisions that lead to long-term happiness:
The creator of Yale’s popular class discusses how to transform your self-talk, change how you experience stress, and create space for serendipity.

How to make better decisions for long-term happiness- Fast Company

Volunteering Over the Holidays?
Altruism is indeed “enlightened self-interest”

For those that know, no words are necessary.

For those that don’t know, no words will suffice.

But the data is in:

Altruism improves happiness and well-being, research finds – The Washington Post

13 marvelous images from the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards:
A polar bear sits seemingly unbothered by a heavy snowstorm pummeling down. Photographer Daniel Valverde Fernandez captured the moment (seen above) the bear gave a vigorous shake to send the powder flying into the swirling winds.

13 marvelous images from the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards | Popular Science

Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season!

Love,

Neville

“Start by doing what’s necessary;

then do what’s possible;

and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

• If you can answer ‘yes’ to 6 questions, you’re more successful than you think
• 5 science-backed habits that will actually make you happier
• Tai chi isn’t just for seniors. The workout boosts strength, flexibility, and longevity, no matter what your age
• Plus, some Pure Fun

If you can answer ‘yes’ to 6 questions, you’re more successful than you think
Scott Mautz, a former senior executive, has spent 30 years studying what makes people mentally strong and successful. Here’s a mini-assessment.

If you answer ‘yes’ to 6 questions, you’re more successful than most

5 science-backed habits that will actually make you happier
They’re all easy, don’t worry.

How to be happier: 5 science-backed habits for happiness

Tai chi isn’t just for seniors. The workout boosts strength, flexibility, and longevity, no matter what your age
Plus, getting started is easy. Here’s how.

Tai chi helps with strength, flexibility, and longevity—no matter what your age | Fortune Well

Plus, some Pure Fun!

Steve Martin going toe to toe with Gregory Hines:

(20) Danny Deraney on X: “This is so cool. Steve Martin going toe to toe with Gregory Hines in 1981. https://t.co/cJPvJNwGrR” / X

Please pay it forward!

Love,

Neville

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
X: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“When a man cares, he is unafraid.
When he is fair, he leaves enough for others.

When he is humble, he can grow.” – Lao-Tzu

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

• The Power of Now
• Doing Good is Good for You, Research Shows
• Hope Can Be More Powerful Than Mindfulness
• And Some Righteous Humor

The Power of Now:

Doing Good is Good for You, Research Shows:
Altruism, such as volunteering and donating, has been shown to improve happiness and well-being, and may be fundamental to being human.

Altruism improves happiness and well-being, research finds – The Washington Post

Hope Can Be More Powerful Than Mindfulness:
In difficult times, a forward-looking mindset may be especially helpful. In troubling times, how do we move forward? What mindsets help us bounce back from adversity?

Hope Can Be More Powerful Than Mindfulness | Scientific American

And some righteous humor-

These Babies are Hilarious Imitators!

(20) The Instigator on X: “Babies are shameless 😂😂 https://t.co/Jv9OvLEFqA” / X

Pay it forward with purpose!

Love,

Neville

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
X: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past.

If you are anxious, you are living in the future.

If you are at peace, you are living in the present.”

– Lao Tsu