The shortest day of the year is often missed by many, myself included!
It is usually filled with the rushed pace of societal induced "very important" things to do... such as more last minute gifts to buy, people to see & packed shopping centres. Most of us forget the significance of the shortest day of the year - the very special Winter Solstice.
In nature the animals are hibernating, the leaves are gone and all is quiet - but us humans are pulled into a marketing frenzy of shop till you drop... but we don't have to!
This year when that Christmas time question arose "Are you all set?" my answer was different. I said " I am enjoying all the moments of the lead up to Christmas".
I see it differently now, it is a precious time of year filled with light but also significant darkness. It is a cumulation of moments each bringing their own opportunity for joy, depending on how we see it.
This year was a particularly significant year for me in many ways where I moved through challenges I never thought possible & came out a fully intact & fuller version of myself! So instead of rushing into this part of the year I decided to step away from the Christmas rush for just one day... the shortest day.
With my loyal & highly sensitive dog "Oscar" I headed for a long walk on a windy beach. Surrounded by the sounds of crashing waves, the visuals of Aer lingus & Ryanair planes flying over the beach at regular intervals delivering excited passengers home for Christmas & the sensation of the wild wind against my cold hands & face, I watched the sun drop lower in the sky for the darkest day of the year.
I asked myself 2 questions
"What do I want to let go of....."
And
"What intentions do I really want to set as the days get brighter?"
This year as I viewed it as a timeline, I realised I have overcome huge challenges, taken courageous steps into new experiences & let go of what is not aligned & stepped further into the path of growth. I am so grateful to the people who have come into my life, new friends, incredible colleagues, inspiring teachers and the bravest patients who show me what courage really is every day & keep me grounded & humble. I am also so grateful for those special people already in my life who I have had the privilege of deepening friendships & family ties with over the past year.
No doubt as you read this, you are noting the significant challenges you have overcome yourself this year . There are many insights waiting for you to reflect on. This is a gentle reminder that you may not realise what they are until you stop to notice!
Give yourself time to stop to notice the shadows and the light in your life.
As many of us are filled with joy and happiness at this time of year it is important to remember that the dark which includes loneliness, loss of happy memories or loved ones or just a dark lens we may be viewing the world through due to an illness, a belief or a trauma is only temporary. The darker days hold such space for us to find deeper meaning, the truth & hope in life. The dark is only temporary because it is just the shade of light, there is always hope in every dark corner. It is ok to accept the darkness, it brings us deeper into our feelings, deeper into who we really are and deeper into understanding ourselves and others. There is nothing to be afraid of because there is always hope, it might take a while to find it, but it is usually just around the corner after you surrender to the truth!
This time of year is very special and allows us to take a step inward and contemplate what is important, who is important, where our priorities lie and review what this is for you, not what society or others expect from you.
It is ok to step off the thread-mill of what we believe Christmas is and really embrace what is true to you and your authentic self at this time of year.
So take some time to look over your last year, the dark, the light & how you have survived through your challenges, you may be a little bruised but you are also still intact and a fuller version of yourself! Your future self will thank you for this time of reflection and integration, so you really can embrace the New Year with a clean slate!
If you are interested in discovering more ways to live authentically in a simple & mindful way check out our next retreat in the events section or sign up for "The Mindful Reset" programme commencing in the New Year!
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