New Year Reflections

Since the beginning of Fall, I’ve noticed my relationship with seasonal changes shifting.

In October, welcoming the opportunity to bundle up and make soup.

November and December, taking time around the hustle of the holidays to lean into extended times of darkness.

The invitation to a more internal, quiet space, while embracing winter solstice.

The time leading up to the New Year as one of reflection and consideration of what’s to come.

I find the rhythm of the seasons and calendar to be one of comfort this time around the sun.

Perhaps as an organism, I might be recalling more these days, the flow of the natural world that surrounds me.

This makes sense when considering that architecture, agriculture, celebration, and ritual of ancient cultures was greatly dictated by the external world and cosmos.

Observation, alignment, synchronicity, reliance upon, and reverence for the inherent wisdom of the natural world was at the heart of a more easeful existence.

And when we consider that we are a small part of the Great Whole, all made of the same stuff, we can look more to these inherent rhythms and cycles for guidance on what may support us during a given time.

And if nothing else, honor that we are yet again, at the beginning.

How do we want to enter into this New Year?

What practices would prove beneficial to carry over?

What could be left behind?

Rather than a mighty proclamation of grand resolution, what is one small, attainable, even welcomed shift to create more ease, more joy, more presence in this year to come?

It’s a small shift in perspective, but one that I am finding most comforting and interesting to explore.

I thought you might too.