Trapped by an ill zipper in my semi-winter coat, I sit upon our porch in the blazing sunlight, hardly aware that merely a few days ago I sat with layers bundled at my computer aiming to write with freezing fingers. Perhaps a bit dramatic, however, we are used to extremes in New England – scarves and hats one day, t-shirts the next.
How beautiful it is to sit in the sun. No matter how life is, the sun remains for us to hide from or embrace. I choose the latter. I have the happy wrinkles to prove it. Admittedly not a fan of hot and humid summers, I never blame the sun. It’s doing its job, a mighty fine one at that.
Though the rain, snow, and clouds have their pivotal roles, often a great reason to make a tea and stew, I am a child of the sun, a Leo through and through. Realizing these facts, it brings me to the idea of light and the power of shining, especially in dark moments.
It’s a sad truth that not everyone enjoys light. Most of us who can’t help our rays from escaping have learned the hard way that there are some who would do anything to repel them. The key, friends, is to shine anyway. At risk of sounding like a greeting card, shining no matter what is a powerful remedy to winter’s potential blues and the darkness of life in general.
Using nature as a guide, opening your senses helps to refuel the energy you may feel has depleted from, well, life. Life is happening all around – yours, mine, the world’s. How to keep in step with yourself takes both courage and energy while navigating empathy for your fellow humans who are not in the best of circumstances. A small action, a donation, a prayer, a hug, all moments of giving you can provide as you restore you, too. These acts of light absolutely matter – they bring in small and powerful rays into places otherwise unseen or movements by others also bringing more light into this world.
When in doubt, feed the birds; hug a tree; volunteer to help animals; grow an indoor garden or start seeds; learn something new. Take a few moments to restore and re-energize, especially upon a New Year. You owe this light to you, too, my friend.
In love,
Geraldine