Catch a feeling, not a cold this February

This February we are feeling cozy, loved, comforted, expressive, rested and feeling nourished. Not only is the Chinese New Year on February 1, but the Eastern world celebrations of the Year of the Tiger continue on, well into mid-February, and culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 15. That weekend, we are invited to celebrate love on February 14, as the western world’s official Valentine’s Day. That is not the feeling I’m talking about.

Though this season is still cold and we are in mid-winter, you’re probably getting itchy feet and itchy fingers like me. Well, more like an itchy green thumb, in my case. I’m sure you want to start a garden or get on with new projects, now that the cold has been dragging on for a while. That is the feeling I am talking about. That feeling of ideas taking root and growing. Notice this feeling, enjoy it and begin to explore it. Feel the natural urge to begin growing this year.

This month: I urge you to catch a feeling, instead of a cold. How do we do this? Stay warm and stay connected!

We do this by allowing ourselves to pay attention and notice the feeling first and foremost. The itch to begin a project is there: A natural emergence from hibernation. Look for it and catch that feeling, in your hands. How do you catch this feeling? You may think, in this month of ‘love’, with Valentine’s Day, with all the romantic notions our society has lavished onto February, I mean feeling in love.

Let us move beyond romantic love and the superficial ways of showing and experiencing feelings through chocolate, wine, wining and dining. Don’t get me wrong. Wining and dining is delicious, tasty and wonderful. Of course, it is. But, imagine that you allow yourself to get in touch with some exquisite feelings of feeling comfortable with your favourite fuzzy blanket and catching ‘feeling in love with life’ feelings that way. Or imagine yourself the luxury of viewing a series of documentaries on Blue Zone living. How does that allow you to feel? Are your senses heightened?

Let us delve further into feeling. A deeper appreciation of how our body feels, with our mind translating our every sensation, can begin like this. Humour me in this following exercise: Your Sense of Touch – A touch of comfort and wisdom. An exercise.

First, sit comfortably.

Then, take your hands and slowly match up each finger and the thumb of one hand with the other. One at a time. Do this in front of you, watching your hands as you slowly complete this and feel each finger pad from the left hand, gently pressing against the right hand.

Close your eyes. Press gently and expand the fingers, move them closer together and stretch them apart. What do you notice? How do your hands feel? Cold, clammy? Warm? Hot? Dry? Do you need to moisturize more? Yes, you do. Admit it. Has the winter cold dried out your hands?

I invite you to welcome this information into your world. Now, take each hand and feel the fabric of your pants, blanket or sofa. Feel the surface slowly. What do you notice?

Monika Meulman is the Founder & Owner of  The Healing Muse Apothecary, 2859 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-347-5449. Inspired Living @healingmuse, www.healingmuse.com