Moments of Joy
In the Northern Hemisphere, the long, dark nights of the season are upon us. We may feel the need for some real decompressing with holiday get-together schedules, the endless planning, cooking and shopping lists. Winter Solstice is a time to honor the infinite light that eminates within us, just as the life-giving light of our Sun brings the Earth longer days to come. This is a gentle reminder to stay rooted in the need for holiday decompressing and in metabolizing the past year. Much like Nature, we may feel the need to re-establish our roots and nestle into self-nurturing for the time being. Winter is a death of many kinds and an opportunity to let go of what is no longer needed, so what better way to enter the season of Winter for much-needed contemplation and restoration?
The spirits have shown me that this time of year is a sacred time with the veil between worlds thinning as we pass through Solstice. They show me that we can learn a lot from the spirit of Winter. Right now in the Northern Hemisphere, we may feel this time is physically and proverbally overshadowed in darkness. Yet, it is in the darkness that we have the opportunity to gain the true capacity to see. And, much like diamonds, we just might rely on the pressures we find in the darkness to hone our own bright light.
When we enter into dark places, it’s important to not stay there. We must practice finding joy. Cultivating joy is a courageous action in our mundane matrix right now. We can choose to be rebellious in our way of shining as we tend to the seemingly small moments of our days. When things feel overwhelming, it is a wonderful opportunity to take an in-breath, and an out-breath and practice mindfulness wherever we find ourselves.
When we are present for the moments around us, our energy body is more freed up to meet joy. Here are some ways that we can practice being embodied more fully as part of our restoring:
Put your hand on your heart. Feel the beating inside your chest. Take a slow, deep breath in and hold, and let it out through your mouth, and hold before your next in-breath. You may feel a sense of gratitude as you realize that your heart is beating to keep you alive while you don’t even have to think about it.
Move your body merely to feel the movement and be aware of how your body feels or what it may be telling you. Dance to music, or just sway gently in one spot.
Practice yoga. Yoga nidra and yin yoga are wonderful ways to to honor the spirit of Winter while practicing mindfulness. You may also notice an appreciation of your body and how it has done so much for you in your life, so treat it with kindness.
Take a walk in nature. Nature is our greatest teacher, so be curious about what spirit has shown up for you. It could be the spirit of snow, the spirit of wind, a bird or another animal. Whatever it is, greet that spirit in the moment.
Be rebellious and slow down! Our lives are often rush, rush, rush which is not good for our psyche, spirit or our bodies. Purposely do things one at a time. We miss out on life when we constantly rush - there are so many moments we miss.
Anyone can create a small ceremony with water, tea or hot cocoa. Sipping mindfully while noticing all five senses can help anyone feel more present and able to touch the moment around us.
Create a new evening routine. Reading a book rather than watchking tv or doomscrolling. Listen to music that brings you joy.
Write, paint or snuggle with your fur baby (if you have one).
Celerate you! What are your favorite things to do? I personally love birds - so being out in nature observing them usually brings me some amount of joy, no matter what I’m navigating in my life. In this way, getting outside to celebrate the interconnection I have with all beings brings me joy.
What brings you moments of joy? In whatever way this moment finds you, I challenge you to find a sparkle of joy in it.
