....the dark

Yogis,
The winter solstice arrived on Saturday with our half of the earth tilted to its furthest point from the sun. A day she shined on us for a mere nine hours, twenty-six minutes and eighteen seconds. Leaving us in more than 14 hours of dark. 

The darkest time of year.

Each day moving forward will offer us under a minute more of light but it will be quite some time before we notice. The dark is a guest who is here to stay awhile.

Dark is given a bad rap. Nightmares, ghosts, bats, evil, shadows and sadness. Horror films always take place in the dark and we fear looking under the bed. Yet dark is necessary.

The dark asks, or sometimes forces us to do less. To sleep more. To step back from the chaos. Whether we want to or not. We can deny it, ignore it or wish for it to go away, but a better approach may be to change the perspective. Perhaps embrace, or at least acknowledge darkness.

See it.

Without the dark there would be no need for candles……and how I love to light candles. No one would see the twinkle lights that sparkle each evening on my front porch as the sun sets. I couldn’t put pajamas on and sneak to bed at 8:00 to read.

I wouldn’t feel the beams of the moon shining on me while I sleep.

We wouldn’t know the awe of a star filled sky.  Or the coziness of a fire with its woodsy smell, radiant glow, crackles and pops. Without the dark we would never witness a sunrise.

During this dark season, when we do receive a welcome ray of sun from low in the sky, we are more appreciative of her beauty.

Dark is also considered spiritual soil. With fewer hours to see the world with physical eyes, we can use this time for inner reflection. Coming face to face with what lurks on the inside. Like our fear of outer dark, the inner can hold the same. Be sure to bring the soft light of compassion and gentleness with you on this journey. If you choose to go, growth happens.

What do you see in the dark?

Closing my eyes,
SARAH

.....added layer

Yogis,
I am now fully immersed in Christmas-ing. Every spare moment has me baking, cleaning, ordering and wrapping. So much to do!

I do love Christmas itself. Everyone comes and we huddle together in a three-day cocoon filled with love, champagne and gifts. The preparation though, is a lot. The level of intensity that sets in soon after Thanksgiving causes me angst each year. 

But this year is different…..

Maybe it’s because I have just come off of a three month project to completely move out of our beach house. I remember when the builder first mentioned this as a requirement and as my jaw dropped, that same sensation of angst set it. So much to do. How will I possibly? Yet I now sit on the other side and somehow it all got done.

It made me realize that it would have all gotten done regardless of the angst. That angst was a layer I put on the process that was not a requirement. Like a blanket. A layer I chose.  

Wait! you say. A big move does cause angst! Not really. A move is just a move. Yes, there is a tremendous amount to do, but how I step through it all is absolutely my choice and I had chosen angst and somehow finally recognized it as what I also do to Christmas.

Seeing myself.

Soooooo…..as I shifted from beach house to ho, ho, ho, I did it more mindfully this year. Choosing not to rush. To be baking while I am baking, wrapping when I am wrapping, and not thinking of everything left to do. Going to stores early in the day when they are quiet so I can wander slowly and pause. Trusting without doubt that it will all get done with or without that added layer.

I am sure you will not be surprised to hear that I am enjoying the whole season so much more!

It may not be Christmas that has you pulling up that heavy blanket. Could be another holiday, an event, a relationship, your job, a season, travel……..  They all are what they are and it is always your choice on how to move through.

I am kicking off the blanket!
SARAH

.....the hum

Yogis,
This week I am discussing gratitude. Wait! Wasn’t that last week?

I am amazed how quickly we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. One minute eating the last bite of pumpkin pie, discussing things to be thankful for and in a blink of an eye carols are playing and buying commences. From grateful, right back to consuming.

A neatly packaged gratitude week amidst a world of catalogs, commercials and ads reminding us what we don’t have. Gratitude is for what is already here.

Gratitude, like a muscle, can’t be worked infrequently and be expected to stay strong. Gratitude is a practice like yoga, piano, weightlifting or art. To become competent requires daily attention.

At Thanksgiving we share how grateful we are for our family and health. Our homes and the delicious meal. Yes! But only scratching the surface. What about the things you can see, touch, smell and taste every day?

I am grateful for the color yellow. What would the world be without yellow? And so grateful for the blue hue of a cold ocean. The green and red of holly trees this time of year in their Christmas outfits and the pinks of a predawn sky.

I am grateful for dark chocolate. Every day…… That first bite of a good piece of pizza. Avocados, summer tomatoes and hearty winter soup.

I am grateful for the wren who sings her song outside my window announcing the arrival of spring and the crackling of a fire on a winter night. Geese flying overhead, the whistle of wind and yes, Christmas carols. Thunder.

For a hot shower, air conditioning, my winter hat, down comforters. The feeling of the sun on my face and sand on my feet. The moon, stars, flowers, deer, rainbows, trees…….

The hum of gratitude. Why turn it on? Because once it is set in motion you feel great. The chest widens and heart blooms. You realize how rich you already are!

And as an added bonus, the more gratitude you shine out, the more things to be grateful for are drawn toward you.

Bringing gratitude along for the holidays,

SARAH