Happy New Year, Friends!
As we usher out the old and welcome in the new, January offers a perfect time for reflection and mindfulness. For over a decade, I have used this month as a chance to reconnect with the present moment through the art of daily haiku. This simple yet profound practice helps me pause, observe, and embrace the beauty of now. I’d love for you to join me on this mindful journey—even if you don’t write every day.
Haikus are more than just short poems; they are mindfulness exercises in themselves. Rooted in the present moment, a haiku invites you to notice the small details, embrace simplicity, and reflect on your inner and outer world. Traditionally, they follow a 5-7-5 syllable structure across three lines, but feel free to explore a more free-form style if that resonates with you.
I invite you to connect with me and share your haikus in the comment section of each daily blog entry on the StressResources.com site; on Instagram @pamressler and @stressresources; Facebook @StressResources, and X (formerly Twitter) @pamressler; using the hashtag #HaikuChallenge25. Let’s create a mindful community where we inspire and encourage each other... a mindful “call and response”—sharing observations, emotions, and the simple beauty of the present moment.
If you’re new to haiku, don’t worry! Start small by reflecting on something you see, feel, or experience today. A drop of rain, the warmth of a cup of tea, or the hush of a morning breeze—all these can become the seed for your mindful poem.
I look forward to sharing this creative and mindful practice with you, beginning tomorrow, January 1, 2025. Together, let’s welcome the new year with intentionality, one haiku at a time.