The girls are back in Georgia with their 50+ degrees for temperature and much milder weather. Wisconsin got hit last night with a snow storm which includes snow, rain, and crappy roads. I look out my window and see cruddy weather. Yet I’m not discouraged by it. It is just weather and if we wait a bit, it will change.
The gray, gloomy day makes me want to curl up in front of the fireplace with my laptop and complete quiet. I’d love to be working on my story and ignoring the world. This time of year though the world seems to think we should all gather and celebrate. The weather seems to be saying hibernate but society demands we gather.
Today is the shortest day of the year. It is meant to be a time of letting go. Winter allows the world (at least in the northern regions) to rest from the growing season. It also allows us to rest. In our ever moving and constantly busy lives we rarely take time for ourselves. This is the time of year to do it. The weather certainly seems to be encouraging us to snuggle in for the duration.
Darkness, physical darkness, dominates this day. When most people look at darkness they attach a negative label to it. Darkness to them represents evil. To me though, darkness represents time to reflect on what is within me. It is a quiet peaceful time meant to hear that inner voice. To let those deeper questions surface so they can be examined and maybe an answer found.
For some people this is the time when they catch up on sleep, snuggle in to do nothing, go skiing or snowboarding. For me it is a time of reflection on where I am now, where I want to be next year, what I’ve accomplished, what I want to accomplish.
The older I get the more I appreciate these quiet times, the time to let go of the expectations of others so I can focus on my own expectations. It may sound selfish but now instead of putting my family’s needs and desires first, I am looking at my own. It is my turn to be first in my own life and work towards my dreams.
It’s funny how dreams are. I know that there are people out there who want to do big things. I don’t necessarily. I want to tell good stories. I want my daughters to be happy. I want to lead a quiet fulfilled life. Not big dreams but definitely worthwhile…
Happy Solstice…