I love this time of year.
Holiday music on repeat, extra time with the kids, cookie making, time with friends, watching Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3 and more cookies.
I struggle with this time of year.
It tends to hold the weight of my unrealistic expectations. In my work and in my life, it is a time of slow down. Yet there is a palpable resistance. A yearning to speed up into the year ahead vs. a chosen time of reflection.
Today, I honor the spirit of the Winter Solstice.
The solstice, combines the Latin words sol for “Sun” and sistere for “to stand still."
It is the point where the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the sky for the year. Ancient astronomers came to know this day as one where the Sun appeared to stand still.
"Within you there is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat and be yourself."
Herman Hesse
Instead of my urge for movement, progress, certainty...I will dive into stillness in support of grounding, gratitude and non-reactivity for the rest of the year.
Journal:
What can I do today to create a moment of stillness?