These days of celebration and ceremony, of tradition, hope
and love are truly no insignificant things. They bring us something we need,
something we’ve unconsciously wished for…a point in time of culmination of
lessons learned and dreams to come. We
mark the year in celebratory fashion at different points with each bringing an
opportunity to observe where we’ve been, what’s worked and what needs more
refinement in our lives as we go. If we
take a breath and a quiet moment within the seeming chaos of activity, what
things might we see? I suppose that is
up to each dreamer. Every breath and
step is a choice in terms of how we perceive it. It’s appreciating the experience for what it is, sometimes I think
quietly to myself.
It was surprising for me to begin to witness that I was
separate from my worries and thoughts each step of the way along the path that
has been my life. If I’d only known
sooner, I sometimes think, I might have chosen better or at least from a more
aware state of being. But, I have to warn you, once you become aware, there is
no going back to sleep. You begin to
realize that arguments you seemingly continuously face is really just
entertainment at some level and you choose it not due to challenge yourself or
others but because there is something you are unconsciously striving to
learn. I don’t agree with wishing I
didn’t know now what I didn’t know then, as the song goes. I’m grateful for every gossamer strand of
understanding I’ve gathered in my life.
Gratitude is one of the greatest keys to happiness,
serenity, and peace I’ve ever known. In
tragic moments, gratitude has helped pull me through. In moments of joy, gratitude has helped me to
better savor the experience. I find that
I become more grateful as time goes by and often it is for the simpler things
in my life. Just now it’s chilly in my
corner of the world that is usually beyond quite warm. The opposites are fascinating not only in the
weather but all things. Like dark and
light, the way they contrast and define, where they pull away and then meet…truly
it is a fascinating display but more so when you are aware of their differences
and the sameness they equally possess.
The solstice always marks a time for me to appreciate what
I’ve learned and to begin to truly set my intent for the next year. I strive always and ever to observe but not
get overly caught up in anything…not feelings that aren’t facts, not the
emotion of an absent minded or psychologically triggered moment, not the
struggles or stress that comes with life.
When I take a deep breath and allow what is to be just as it is without
needing to change a thing, I find a better stream of existence to flow
within. I battle resistance sometimes
until I reawaken to fully understand the obstacle
is the path. When I meet it not to
defend against but to embrace “it” whatever “it” is in a moment, it’s impact
relaxes in response to my own surrender and the flow brings with it a greater
understanding and awareness as well as appreciation. I’ve come to trust that in my life from
things of great significance to small.
Trust is a big word with far reaching impact in my world. Greeting in warmly has been my saving grace
along with gratitude.
Embrace the season’s celebrations and know that it can bring
you more than you ever thought possible.
It may not bring you precisely what you wanted (or consciously thought
you wanted) but it will bring you precisely what it is that you truly most
needed. When you begin to trust that
life will bring you that, and
completely surrender to it ready to flow knowing you can handle what ever
manifests on your path, the season, your interactions and your life can be a
more interesting set of experiences. I
pray the season brings you compassionate understanding, reawakening, joy, love
and peace. Happy Solstice, Happy
Holidays and Happy New Year too.
© 2019, Jaie Hart (photo and words)
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