The forest guides you deep within, to find your soul, to live again.
-Angie Weiland- Crosby
I’ve been feeling the cold of winter. In my body and in my soul. I’m trying to find ways to reintroduce warmth to my bones and into my spirit.
Has anyone felt a little depleted lately? Winter can be hard on us. What do you do to experience warmth in January? Tell me about it in the comments!
A Tale of Two Winters
It is easy to feel the cold outside in Saskatchewan these days.
As soon as you take a breath outside your lungs cease to function. And your nose tingles with the sneeze that will never fully arrive. One can sense the eyelashes freezing together and the eyeballs taking on a thin sheet of ice. Any portion of skin unfortunate enough to be facing the elements seems to scream, ‘Why?’. Muscles tense. All mental function goes to figuring out why we live here. Eyes scan for a safe place to step. Spoiler alert: there isn’t one. Ears are attuned for the screeching of brakes and sliding tires. Everyone is in a constant hunch of grouchiness and feeble attempts to keep a portion of body heat.
On the other hand;
Can you smell snow? According to Lorelai on Gilmore Girls you can. Picture the night sky lit with stars. My favourite snow scene is still. But for the falling snow. I can almost hear the soft gentle sound of the falling snowflakes. I feel them as they land then melt on my face. The chill barely touches my nose and toes. I feel myself wrapped in cozy layers of blankets.
These are two vastly different perceptions of this time of year. It can be a stretch to feel the second description when we have things to get done. But when there is a moment to do so, slow down.
So much joy can be found in slowing down
-Emily Ley
Unique and Elegant
I’m disappointed that the term snowflake has come to be used in such a derogatory way. I want to take a moment to acknowledge that it is not okay. As we discuss snowflakes here, can we go back to what the word is supposed to suggest? And not anything that demeans or belittles any person or group of people?
I love snowflakes. I love that they are different. Uniquely and individually perfect. I love their gentle and fragile state. It makes them more beautiful (take note, my chronic comrades). I love the way that when they fall they do so gracefully. They allow their circumstance to choose where they land. When they land they blend with those around them creating a blanket of exquisite elegance.
How can you take on the qualities of a gracefully falling or resting sliver of snow?
Lessons of the Changing Seasons
Furthermore, what lessons can you learn from this season? Here are four of the lessons I have learned recently,
- Even the longest, darkest night will end. Even the coldest, loneliest winters turn to spring. Dawn surely will come. Summer will bring sand and sun again. Is there anything dark or lingering in your life that makes you question if this tunnel actually has an end? Your chronic illness may not end; but the pain of having one can. Your pain may not end; but the sense of loss that has come from it can. You may not be able to do the things you used to do. However, there is still greatness in you. The world needs your greatness. Keep working and spring will come.
- We have reached our turning point. We will survive. The night is turning over its hours to the day. Our marker. The land and animals have endured thus far. So have we. Think back. What have you had to endure in the past? Did you survive it? How? Can you apply those principles to this season? Winter is a good time to ponder. Write things down. Ingest learning. Our time to be out in the dirt and sun is coming.
- A lesson I am taking, in particular, this season, is that sunshine and cold can exist at the same time. Often we think of sunshine and warmth as going together. It is happier that way. But sunshine can be burning bright even on the coldest of days. I experience pain. That is true. But I feel joy. They can exist at the same time. This is a lesson that has been hard fought. I hold it like a white flag of surrender in my hand. Surrender to the pain, to what is. And also surrender to the joy.
- We talk about wintering. A time to rest for longer. To move a little slower. Take the offering. Use it wisely. Recharge your batteries that have fallen out. So when you put them back in, they are energizing.
From Focus to Burnout
Where is your battery sitting today? Our battery affects our physical, mental and spiritual self.
The lowest point of the battery is burnout. Physically that will look like having trouble sleeping, exhaustion, more pain than usual, such as headaches. Emotionally you may feel numb, lost, empty and depressed. Spiritually you don’t feel drawn to practice, a submission to despair and loss of connection to your higher spiritual power.
The highest point on the battery is focused. Physically there is a feeling of calm and steady while maintaining normal sleeping and eating habits. Emotionally one feels positive, creative and a sense that they are thriving. Spiritually will look like higher connection and trust. A deep desire to practice and engage in holy rituals.
There are many points on the battery between these. Most days we will fall somewhere along the middle. Where are you sitting today? Take note.
Where do you want your battery reading to be? The power to change is in your hands. The secret is to take patterns and seasons to rest. Then you can live closer to the top end of those readings.
Is your battery focused? functioning? overworked? depleted? or burned out? Be aware of your battery reading and act accordingly. What can you do to further recharge during these winter months?
How about some moments of koeslig to snuggle up in.
Koeslig (koosh-lee)- a warm and cozy atmosphere of togetherness in a pleasant setting.
And remember our track record for surviving winter so far is 100%. So our odds of making it this year are pretty good. The only question is which of the opening statements about two winters will describe how you survive it.
I heard it said, some people drink deeply from the well of knowledge. Others rinse and spit.
Thank you for the time you take to join me here. I hope there is some bit of knowledge that refreshes you. That you feel you benefit in the reading of this blog. (even if you choose to rinse and spit)
If you are enjoying it please like, subscribe &/or share this post with someone who would enjoy it.
👀 Keep your eyes open here and on my social media to see what I have coming up in the spring. 👀 Exciting things are happening behind the scenes. You won’t want to miss it.
SUNBEAM ACRES 