In this time of transition and hope – what is it you most wish for?
Pause here. Let the question sink in to a deeper place of longing. Feel the movement of your soul and heart. The interconnections in life that you, in your unique position, have. What tugs at you?
Be very still. Listen to the baby of the new. What is simple.
Be very gentle. Let the innocence of this be fully present.
Let it be present – here – in your life. Embrace it fully. It is what you have been longing for.
What nourishes you?
Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
Do you feel nourished? Nurtured?
Bring great gentleness to this question, because it matters.
If you touch a tender place with this – stay there.
This is the place to bring the breath of kindness.
We can do this for ourselves. If we think we can’t, that then becomes the question: what keeps me from doing that simple thing for myself I most long for?
Take your time with this. What better use of our lives than to become the kindness we long for?
Winter: a time of quiet reflection; longer nights; inward focus. The time of earth when sap runs slowly, trees rest, bears hibernate, birds migrate, and humans go berserk in a frenzy of holiday shopping, booze, and parties.
Wait.
What just happened?
OK, here’s the deal: we get to decide how we do this. Amongst the hidden blessings of last year’s COVID-quiet, forced though it was, is the realization many of us have how much we enjoy less busyness in our lives. So, the real question on the table is how well we can define our boundaries and make choices that are authentic for us.
Many years ago, I began what has become an annual tradition of taking a silent day every Winter Solstice, to reflect on my priorities and to ask myself whether my life choices were aligned. I invite you to consider something like this. A scheduled, dedicated “time-out” from the hustle and haste to ask yourself:
“What do I feel truly has value in this life? And in my life, specifically? Are my actions aligned with this?”
Meanwhile, Happy Holiday to you – in whatever way you choose to indulge.
