Winding Down

Dear December, I feel like it was just yesterday you were here, yet so much has transpired since your last visit.  What a year we have had, but here we are still showing up and living life.

 So much of our precious attention gets focused outwardly.  In a world of constant distractions from our government, our phones, our media it is very difficult to find space and room for stillness.  Moments of coming back to our center.

 There are Christmas decorations at Costco in September, savoring one holiday at a time feels challenging, yet I encourage you to do so.  Blending the holidays muddies the energy, and the intention of each one.  Allowing each holiday to pass before moving onto the next one is a gift to your body’s energy system.

 Here are some simple practices and suggestions to honor the Winter Solstice, holidays and the stillness of the season of December.

 Tea lights – light a tea light, place your hand on your heart and send love first to yourself and then to another.  Try saying I love you (insert your name and then repeat saying the name of another person).  Sit and see how that FEELS in your body.

The 13 wishes practice – Take 13 strips of paper and write down one wish on each piece of paper.  Write the wish in the present tense (as if the wish has already happened).  Fold each piece of paper up into a small square. Starting on December 21 through December 31st burn one sealed wish a night.  On January 1st open the last wish and read it.  That wish you keep for yourself to work on, the other 12 wishes will be taken care of by the universe (God, Spirit, etc.).

 Twinkle Lights – Inexpensive battery-operated twinkle lights make any space feel magical, warm and inviting.

 Remove distractions – Take a night off from the world.  Put your phone on airplane mode and take a walk or drive outdoors and enjoy the crispness of the air, your neighborhood decorations, how bright the stars look against the midnight sky.

 A Warm drink – Brew up a cup of mulled cider or hot ginger tea, place in your favorite mug and intentionally take time to feel the warmth of the mug in your hands, the distinct taste of your beverage.  Use your senses to slow you down and bring you inward.

 Music – Whatever music moves you that is what you should listen to.  Take in a festive concert if you community offers one, or just put on a holiday play list and either sink into the couch or boogie around the room.

 Most of all give yourself credit for making it to the end of this year.  It’s energetically been a hell of a ride, and I don’t forsee it lightening up anytime soon so make yourself a priority, now more than ever it’s essential.

 Thank you being in my life, for watching me, reading me and working with me.  I feel honored to hold space for you, and for all of us to be as Ram Das says “walking each other home”.

May you find pockets of peace and stillness this December.