Make a Smilebox slideshow

Winter Wonderland

In thinking about the seasons, I am left to contemplate the energy surrounding this time of year. When I look around, it is getting cold and dry. The plants and trees are going within to prepare for spring. I find myself going within as well and wanting to plan for my future. A problem arises when I allow my mind to race about thinking about all the tasks I should be completing, but energetically, I am not there. I love this time of year with the holidays and gathering with family and friends. I love the excitement in my children as we attend more social events, eat large meals with those we love and display all the holiday decorations. Even picking out a tree is a beautiful event. The house smells of greenery, cinnamon and cloves. The warmth of the fire glowing in the fireplace even brings a feeling of peace and contentedness. In all of these wonderful experiences, I can still find myself absorbed in doing and performing, especially when having guests over to celebrate.

This year is somehow different, in that I am really feeling the peacefulness of just being. I don't mean letting things go and not accomplishing any tasks, but rather, being ok with the quietness and calmness of my being. This is the time to go deep inside and allow myself to feel all those emotions that have been pushed aside during the busier times of year. With every change of season, there is an opportunity to embrace a different part of one's self, and if we fully embrace it, we will come out of the season prepared for the next season of life. Animals do not fight the seasons or discuss them at length and figure a way to get around it. Why do we as humans insist on staying up late, performing endless tasks, using technology, such as lights, television and computers to emulate daylight? No wonder so many people suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, obesity and heart disease. We need to pay attention to the seasons, they give our bodies, minds and souls the rest they need. We need to embrace our fears and move through them, so they pass along instead of binging them with us like a carry on bag everywhere we go. Winter is the time for seeing what benefits and what does not benefit us. It is a time for deep reflection and for planning for the future. Figure out what seeds you would like to plant in the spring, for growth in the summer and for harvest in the fall. Personally, I have big plans for next year, I have already begun to choose my seeds wisely and it is going to be a beautiful upcoming year!

Here's to your health this holiday season!
ClearSkies
photo courtesy of: www.freefoto.com