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BERT’S BUZZ NOV/DEC 2025
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Learn to Loosen Up (Even on the Hard Days) What Gratitude, Laughter, and Dancing Taught Me About Stress
When I first heard that Nov. 14 is Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day, I’ll admit … I scoffed. It sounds like one of those made-up holidays that sneak onto calendars between National Doughnut Day and Take Your Dog to Work Day. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized we might actually need a day like this, especially now. The
Comedy restores us. A favorite of mine is Sebastian Maniscalco; his energy and physical humor are contagious. He is clean, clever, and downright hilarious. Even a few YouTube clips can shift the tone of an entire evening. And sometimes, the best therapy is dancing. My wife and I love to dance, whether it’s salsa, swing, or just in the kitchen while making dinner. I’ve learned that it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood when music is playing and your body starts to move. Dancing isn’t about skill or rhythm; it’s about letting go. You can’t brood while you boogie. It’s a joyful surrender, a small rebellion against the heaviness that tries to settle in.
world feels heavy more often than not, and we’ve all gotten very good at carrying the weight. Maybe too good. Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day is a small, silly reminder that we don’t have to carry everything all the time. When stress settles on my shoulders and my mind is spinning on a hamster wheel, I know I need to interrupt that cycle. My first move is simple: gratitude. It’s not always easy. Bad days are inevitable. There will be evenings when I’ll sit there, pen in hand, staring at my blank “gratitude” journal, thinking, I’m not grateful for anything today. This day was a disaster. But habit wins out. I’ll jot down something minimal like “the sun came up” or “my kid laughed at dinner.” That tiny spark ignites something bigger.
But loosening up isn’t just about what we do. It’s about how we think. There’s an idea I keep on my refrigerator and scattered all around my home, a visual reminder called “Above the Line Thinking.” The idea is simple: Every thought lives above or below an invisible line. Below the line are the heavier issues, such as procrastination, excuses, fear, and blame. Above the line are their opposites, like action, results, love, and responsibility. Life pulls us below the line more often than
we’d like, but we can climb back up. It’s not denial; it’s discipline, choosing to look at the same situation from a higher vantage point. That shift in perspective is powerful, but it’s not always natural. I’ve had to learn to curate my environment, be it people, media, or even conversations. Some people lift you up; others, unintentionally, keep you below the line. It doesn’t mean cutting everyone out or labeling anyone
Suddenly, I remember a moment that wasn’t so bad: a small kindness or a bit of laughter. One thought leads to another, and before I know it, I have three, maybe five things written down. And then I realize the simple truth: It wasn’t a terrible day after all.
Gratitude is my first antidote to stress. But when my thoughts still feel heavy, I turn to movement. Exercise pulls me out of my head and back into my body. When I’m running, lifting, or even taking a walk, I’m not obsessing about the “what ifs.” My focus narrows to my breath, stride, and rhythm of movement. I don’t consider it escapism; it feels more like recalibration, a reset. Then there’s laughter, preferably with the people I love most. My wife and I love to balance out the heavier things we watch, maybe a heartbreaking documentary or a tense drama, with something light.
“toxic.” It means noticing how you feel after you spend time with someone. Lighter or heavier? Drained or energized? We all have to make quiet, difficult choices about where we invest our energy.
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Sparkles So Bright That Santa Would Approve!
Nothing says December in Albuquerque more than the sparkling holiday displays scattered across the city! With National Christmas Lights Day arriving on Dec. 1, there’s no better excuse to pile into the car, sip cocoa, and take a dazzling drive around town. Whether you’re looking for classic luminarias or the most over-the-top light displays, Albuquerque shines bright with holiday cheer. 1. The Legendary Bugg Lights Are Back! For many locals, the holiday season isn’t complete without a trip to see the Bugg Lights, a beloved Albuquerque tradition that’s made a flashy comeback. Nestled near Hoffman Drive and Pennsylvania Street (between Menaul and Wyoming), this neighborhood spectacle is famous for its glowing and downright cramped displays and crowds of cheerful onlookers. What started as one family’s festive passion project became so popular that the city temporarily shut it down in 2001. Thankfully, the Bugg family’s next generation has revived the tradition, bringing the lights (and the joy) back to life. Expect lines of cars, people snapping photos, and plenty of twinkling nostalgia! 2. Old Town’s Glowing Traditions If you’re looking for something more classic, head to Old Town, where luminarias (or farolitos, as some prefer) softly line the walkways and rooftops. These small paper lanterns create a warm, flickering glow that feels like pure New Mexico magic. Old Town’s plaza comes alive with hundreds of luminarias and a towering Christmas tree that steals the show. Parking can be tight, so plan to stroll on foot, take in the sights, and maybe grab a bite from one of the local restaurants while you’re there. Where to Find Albuquerque’s Most Dazzling Holiday Lights This Season
3. Stroll Through the River of Lights Looking for something bigger and brighter? The River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden is a full-on holiday wonderland. With over 600 illuminated sculptures and millions of twinkling bulbs, this walking path is perfect for families and date nights. Bundle up, grab a cup of cocoa, and let the glowing dinosaurs, flowers, and holiday scenes fill you with wonder. 4. Twinkle All the Way Through Nob Hill For a celebration that combines community, color, and a touch of Route 66 nostalgia, you can’t miss the Nob Hill Twinkle Light Parade. This milelong event brings together floats, marching bands, local businesses, and Santa himself. Central Avenue shuts down for the festivities, turning Nob Hill into a walkable winter wonderland where you can shop local, dine, and enjoy the lights. Pro tip: Arrive early to shop and grab dinner before the parade starts. You’ll snag the best viewing spot and support Albuquerque’s small businesses! Stay Bright and Drive Safe Holiday light-hopping is one of Albuquerque’s most joyful traditions, but it also means busier streets, distracted drivers, and chilly weather conditions. Take your time, drive carefully, and keep safety at the top of your list this season. After all, the holidays are about sharing light, laughter, and love, not worrying about accidents. From our legal team to your family, we wish you a safe, bright, and merry holiday season!
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Stop, Look, and Wonder Sidewalk Telescopes Are Bringing the Universe to You
I’ve also found inspiration in the idea of joy, not as fleeting happiness, but as something deeper, more stable. I’ve been reading “The Book of Joy,” which captures conversations between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. One line struck me: “We can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters.” That’s what I want. To face the hard things without becoming hard myself. To stay open, even when life isn’t easy. Gratitude, movement, laughter, meditation, and even dancing aren’t about ignoring reality. They’re about meeting it with strength and lightness simultaneously. Life will always deliver a mix of joy and heartbreak, ease and struggle. The only constant we control is our mindset. And while it takes effort to stay above the line, it’s worth it because the air is better up there. So, this Nov.14, I’ll take Loosen Up, Lighten Up Day seriously, even if the name makes me smile. I’ll probably write in my gratitude journal, go for a run, maybe dance around the kitchen with Marta, and laugh until the day feels a little lighter.
Imagine walking down a city sidewalk and seeing a telescope pointed toward the sky. There aren’t any ticket lines or admission fees, only a friendly smile and a view of Saturn’s rings or the craters of the moon. That’s what’s happening thanks to a growing global movement bringing astronomy directly to the people, right on the streets! In cities worldwide, astronomy enthusiasts are setting up powerful telescopes in parks, on sidewalks, and in busy downtown areas. Their mission is simple: to share the wonders of the universe with anyone who happens to walk by. The best part is there’s no experience required. All you need is a little curiosity. The movement is called #popscope (short for pop-up telescope). Founded in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2014, it has expanded to include hundreds of cities in Canada, the U.S., Ireland, and India. Volunteers, often amateur astronomers or passionate stargazers, invite strangers to peer into the sky, and many people are left speechless. It’s a great reminder that we all live under the same stunning sky. These spontaneous sidewalk star parties are making science more accessible, especially for communities that don’t have easy access to observatories or science museums. Beyond amazing educational opportunities, the pop-up telescope events spark something deeply human: connection. As people gather to look up, they share a sense of awe that transcends background, language, and age. It’s hard not to feel united when staring at the vastness of space. This isn’t about high-tech gear or flashy presentations; instead, it’s an opportunity to pause for a moment amidst the noise and hustle and realize the universe is right there, waiting to be admired. Thanks to these sidewalk astronomers, more and more people are getting that chance.
—Bert Parnall
Apple-Cranberry Salad
This tangy and sweet apple-cranberry salad will steal the show at your Thanksgiving feast this year.
• 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette Ingredients
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple,
peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
To volunteer for the group, visit their website at PopScope.org.
So, the next time you’re strolling through the city and see a telescope a stranger has set up, don’t walk past it. Stop. Look. Wonder. You just might see Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings, and you’ll definitely walk away with a smile!
Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Above the Line (and on the Dance Floor): Bert’s Guide to Letting Loose
2
Twinkle, Trek, Repeat: The Most Magical Holiday Lights in ABQ
3
Apple-Cranberry Salad
The Global Movement Making Astronomy for Everyone
4
The Body’s Natural Reset Button
Inhale the Facts Deep Breathing Is Your Scientific Shortcut to Stress Relief
When you feel angry or stressed out, a few deep breaths can be more powerful than they seem. That inhale is like a reset button for your body, sending signals to your nervous system, slowing your heart rate, and quieting the mental storm. Deep breathing isn’t just hot air; it’s scientifically proven to be one of the simplest hacks for calming the mind and body. Inhale deeply, and let’s explore what happens internally when you breathe back to balance. Most of the time, you don’t think about breathing; your body naturally handles this task as you go about your day. But when you control your breath, you trigger a rest and digest mode that slows your
heart rate and sends more blood to your gut to help digestion. The brain manages breathing and heart rate in the same parts of the brain, and they work together. With each breath you take, your lungs expand and the pressure on your heart and blood vessels shifts. This rhythm directly links how you breathe and how calm or alert you feel. The slower and more relaxed your breath is, the less your internal systems are gearing up for a battle. Deep breathing reduces stress and triggers your blood pressure and nervous system to relax. It doesn’t just change your mental state; it can also ease minor physical pain, such as headaches or an
upset stomach. Pain stresses your body out, so easing your aches will help your parasympathetic nervous system take the reins and focus on recovery rather than alertness. To get the full benefits from this mindfulness technique, sit upright and take a slow, deep inhale through your nose. Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest to feel your rib cage expand and your belly rise as the lungs fill. Keep this up until you feel a wave of calm come over you. So, next time you’re feeling on edge, inhale and see why, sometimes, the simplest science is a breath of fresh air.
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