Winter Solstice: The Longest Night Before the Return of the Light

A personal reflection and invitation.

The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close... like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds.

For many of us the last two years have been a time of enforced inwardness, of undesired isolation and sometimes welcome solitude.  There have been moments of hope and joy—but perhaps you still feel an underlying dread about where our world is heading, what natural disasters and human malevolence may lie ahead.

This year some are wondering—is the light really returning?  Will there be a spark of change, a chance to ignite new possibilities?

Personally, this year has been particularly poignant.  For many reasons.  I have been involved in quite a few conversations with folks who have embraced the consent culture, the idea of privilege and have invited me to participate with them.  It has been confusing, maybe even challenging because while those things are important to me, there are fundamental disagreements in their process and what I believe will get us there.

I have also been involved in the conversation of health, our freedom, of choice, of connection, and sometimes that morphs into politics, yet I rarely go there.  It seems more and more difficult to just sink into discussion about these topics with curiosity and interest and care.  This loss have been devastatingly sad (and scary) to me.  It is so easy for me to feel despair.

I also have the good luck that my work as a coach is the perfect work for me.  I basically adore my days, whether I am coaching or writing or teaching.  The blessing of being able to dive deeply into the lives of folks serves me so well.  I tend to fall in love so-to-speak with the people who risk being exactly who they are, including the things that we generally have shame about, with me.  That many are willing to share stories about themselves that they prefer not to visit, is a gift and a place that is so comfortable for me.   Of course —falling in love, is more likely about the experience of trust, of care, the depth, and honesty than the particular people.  That said, I bond quite easily and am moved by what I hear over and over.  I consider my work and the people I work with as sacred. 

I am impacted by all the people I work with and care about.  It is something am mindful of for a few reasons —and in most ways, I consider it a wonderful trait which I embrace. 

My personal dive into what is lingering in the darkness is pretty easy.  Darkness seems to be quite available.  Suffering is no longer super well hidden.  It is right out there, just under the surface, sometimes mixed right in with the light for all to see ~ which might be incredibly uncomfortable and disconcerting for many of us.  Certainly my heart is heavy a good deal of the time.

There are moments when I see despair, dirt, rage, confusion everywhere I turn.  My own thoughts and feelings can match this.  I find myself at a loss to believe that there are people in leadership with the wisdom to shift what we humans have created for ourselves (and the natural world). 

And yet, I also find myself grateful —at times even hopeful that this shift, that the dark is surfacing to be seen can only be a good thing, even though quite painful, quite often.

As for moving forward, I can only see what this year will bring as it unfolds —meaning I can’t know for sure.  I can fully put my attention on what I think will make a difference in the world —meaning I can know.  I appreciate the season for the time to reflect and refine what that is.

For now, the seeds that I am meaning to plant is to continue to stay present to the struggles brought to my attention.  To spend my time searching for the small ways I might initiate change in the system that brings equity and care and celebration into the way of the world.  I will continue to source resources to support me in this exploration.  I will continue to look for like-minded collaborators.  I will continue to look inside myself for the ways I might contribute to inequity in all my endeavors and invite wisdom to encourage my own shifts.  I will continue to learn my craft —listening, guiding, supporting folks to creating their best life by doing just that for myself.  Finding my own sources of wisdom and guidance and support.

Finally, I will be looking to remain enthusiastic about a bright present and future for the world.  Immersing myself in circles of folks who laugh and bring joy and resourcefulness into the world.  Living ‘energy rich’ as Donald Epstein (Founder of Network Chiropractic) would say.  Clinging to the idea that my life is up to me.  If I want to meet the needs of pleasure and fun, then I am going to do everything in my power to find the strategies to do just that.

On this Solstice of 2021, I invite you on the journey of self-reflection with me.  What are your plans?  How do you imagine 2022 will be?  Where are your sources of awareness, strength, power, and support to create the life of your dreams?  I encourage you to remember that your power lies between the stimulus (what happens outside of you) and your response. 

Choose mindfulness with me?