I am wondering how you are all doing as the year clambers and races to it's end?
I do love this time of year, the skies are stunning in their reds and golds, or sparkles with blues, purples and whites. Night skies are magical and twinkling with the miracle of our universe giving us nightly shows of stars, potential and wonder. This sparkly winter scene is inspired by the colours of the evening skies around my home just now, and a little imagination too.
....but I am feeling that my fellow men & women are.... well... displaying winter grumps.
I do observe that many of us suffer from the frantic pace we set ourselves at this time. In the final few months of the year we begin a frenzied state of partying, shopping, even de toxing, and high energy activity. Have you ever wondered why instead of feeling full of seasonal cheer, we get a bit exhausted, run down, grumpy, stressed and even ill.
There is a very good reason for this and it is often written about in yogic and taoist philosophy. You see winter is a natural time on our planet for things to be slowed down, for clearing out dead wood, conserving energy, eating warm slow cooked, nourishing foods, and sharing stories with family and friends, preparing for going inward and restoring. Our action packed schedules are simply out of synch with our natural cycles. Because we go against our natural flow we contribute to seasonal affective disorder, exhaustion and sometimes depression.
More appropriate activities are gathering in peaceful, modest, quiet replenishing together, meditation, clearing energy, connecting in peace and calm, going inward to prepare the ground for new growth in the spring, simple movements such as yoga, qi gong, tia chi and walking are investments in our winter energy banks. I don't know about you, but this seems like a great way to spend the winter months to me.
This year, I have indulged in more frantic activity than is my norm, and I am REALLY feeling it. I am very much looking forward to a short period of replenishing now, painting, writing and finding quiet, more modest winter ways, to stay in tune with the season. Less stress means less need to release tension by overeating or rampant spending.
I hope you will find yourself in step with the quiet, nurturing yin energy of winter.
Looking forward to our time together my friends
Kindest Regards
Adele