Find stillness and let your inner light guide the way.
For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, today marks the winter solstice – the beginning of winter and the longest day of the year. It comes at a time when many of us feel completely stressed and overwhelmed with the holidays approaching, as there can be a tendency to overcompensate, overspend and overindulge.Today, let’s give ourselves permission to stop running and to be quiet long enough to hear our inner calling – that voice that is saying enough! Slow down! Rest!
Where are we going? Why are we moving so fast? What will we do when we get there?
Do you give yourself moments of stillness throughout the day – a time when you can check in, find your center, and get to a grounded place where you feel calm and at peace? Today, the winter solstice, is a gift – a special day where you can honor your deep need for stillness. Give yourself 5 minutes to perform this very short ritual and see how it makes you feel.
A New Year Reflection – Winter Solstice Journaling
What you need:
a pen
journal
candle
a warm drink
a quiet space
5 minutes (or more)
Light a candle. Sit in a quiet space and get comfortable. Close your eyes. Take a nice deep inhale, and a slow exhale. On your inhale, feel every cell of your body expand. On your exhale, smile as you release any tension. Do this several times. Sit in silence. Soften. When you feel moved to, open your eyes.
Grab your pen and journal and begin to write. Some of you will need no prompts; simply write whatever comes to mind. Let your heart guide you. Try not to edit yourself. Don’t worry about spelling or punctuation or even writing in a straight line. Just let the words come out. No judgments; just kindness.
If you feel like you’re having trouble, ask yourself the following questions:
How do I feel in this moment?
What were my biggest celebrations or highlights of the past year?
What have I learned?
What is bringing me down?
What behaviors do I need to change or let go of?
What am I ready to release?
What do I want to bring into my life?
What am I grateful for?
What are some of my intentions for the New Year?
The light of your candle symbolizes your inner light – feel its warmth, see its beauty and know that it will lead you in the right direction. This is a new moment – a fresh, clean slate. Savor this gift of stillness and see if you can carry a sense of calm and peace with you throughout the rest of your holiday season. You are right where you need to be in this moment and you are enough.
Your Personal Reflection: Give yourself the gift of 5 minutes of stillness today, and every day, and notice how it makes you feel.
Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the I Am that is deeper than name and form. -Eckhart Tolle
