Here I am, once again, finding myself learning from something that has been happening since the beginning of time, but just now does it resonate with my soul in a way that I never would have predicted. Today is the Winter Solstice. After today, which is the shortest day of the year, it marks the beginning of the days getting longer and the nights shorter. Less darkness, more light. I mean, talk about the most obvious metaphor for my life! The solstice is the perfect time to reflect on where we've been, where we are going and the beauty that both the darkness and the light yield to us. I've stated it before and I will emphasize again that I've learned so much through the darkness that I have experienced the last two years. Even when all I wanted to do was escape it, I knew there were blessings and lessons to be found. Just recently have I noticed bright rays of light guiding me down the path that I am now on. I'm still unsure of so much, but just as the solstice is giving us the gift of more light, I too feel and welcome it's presence. When I was researching the solstice I came across two traditions that I am now officially declaring rituals that I will do year after year and hopefully inspire you to think about or at least ponder coming up with your own to welcome more light into your own life. One of the things that has truly helped me throughout my cancer journey was cultivating the mindset that sees the good, the light, even when there is so much darkness and resistance. I feel like the solstice is another way for me to honor my resilience and keep this optimistic spirit alive and well.
Tradition number one that I experienced for the first time this year was attending a special 108 Winter Solstice Yoga Class. It was a challenging and rewarding ritual of doing 108 Sun Salutations to invoke the power of the sun to keep our composure and grace. 108 in the yoga world refers to spiritual completion. It was a beautiful ceremony with a community of souls welcoming the blessings that the light will bring. I was challenged, I was empowered and I was at peace. Beautiful.
The second tradition is equally as powerful. It was a Releasing Ceremony. The whole idea is to release regrets, disappointments and failures of the current year as a symbolic way to have a clean slate in the coming year. Writing down what you want to release for the coming year on a piece of paper and burning it is a symbolic way of clearing your head, assessing your priorities and inviting the abundance of blessings into your life. I am open and I am ready for more light...
As difficult as the holidays tend to be for me, I'm finding that these rituals surrounding the winter solstice really lift my spirit and make sense to me. It gives me peace, hope and gratitude for where I've been and where I'm going. Beautiful souls don't just happen...they take experience, a sense of gratitude, an open heart and an open mind. So on this Winter Solstice 2019, I'm sharing with you a wish that I received from someone else:
- "Leave the dark behind, look towards the light, dump the doubts and fears, go where the love is, open your heart, air your head, plant a bulb, light a candle, make space, read and rest and prepare your mind and soul for a beautiful new chapter."
Be grateful for the darkness, but my dear open you eyes, arms and heart for the light that is coming your way.The light in me sees and honors the light in you... Namaste' -M