Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Lighting the Darkness
There is a darkness, a bit of a shadow to the holiday season ending. As much as I was glad to take down the tree and pack up Christmas for another 11 months, I am missing the lights. I miss the soft glow of the tree lights. Night seems extra dark when all the houses only have yellow windows, their own personal vegas style extravaganzas being taken down, and replaced by nothing. I love the lights, from one dinky strand thrown on a bush to homes and yards that look like Santa threw up all over them, it is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. I remember the time of let down after Christmas as a child that came after the last present was unwrapped and after all the build up, excitement, anticipation of Santa, it was over. It all sort of fits together, the darker days, the post Christmas time where the glitz turns a bit gaudy, and the reflection that a new year brings. After all the family, the celebrations, a time for a bit of introversion, a time to rejuvenate, set intentions, take stock, remember, and simultaneously grieve the loss of the passing year while welcoming a new one.
I don't have any resolutions this year. I am not planning to lose 20 pounds by Valentine's Day, get out of debt, or learn Spanish. I have some intentions for things I would like to do better, or different. But I didn't hit a magic button on the 1st and try to start up a new regime. Of course I would like to be healthier, richer, happier, etc. Who wouldn't? But I also understand it is about making smaller changes that are doable, that lead to the whole. That making exercise a regular part of my life is different than I will go to the gym 5 days a week. Maybe what I call intentions someone else would call resolutions, but there is something about this label that takes the failure piece out of it, and that in itself is a bit freeing. And all of it really comes back to wanting to simplify life, for me and my family, in ways that bring us more connection, to each other, ourselves, and our community. Have less stuff so we can enjoy our home more. Plan meals in advance so dinner time isn't hectic and crazy. Take care of our bodies so that we aren't too tired or sore to do what is required to maintain. Slow down and really be with each other. Connect to nature. Read more books, watch less tv. This is sounding a lot like what makes the covers of so many magazines, but it is more than Ten Steps to a Happier Family! and more about living in tune with our values, our Intentions, than another thing to do.
So here is to presence, to simplicity, to being and becoming in 2012 and always.
I don't have any resolutions this year. I am not planning to lose 20 pounds by Valentine's Day, get out of debt, or learn Spanish. I have some intentions for things I would like to do better, or different. But I didn't hit a magic button on the 1st and try to start up a new regime. Of course I would like to be healthier, richer, happier, etc. Who wouldn't? But I also understand it is about making smaller changes that are doable, that lead to the whole. That making exercise a regular part of my life is different than I will go to the gym 5 days a week. Maybe what I call intentions someone else would call resolutions, but there is something about this label that takes the failure piece out of it, and that in itself is a bit freeing. And all of it really comes back to wanting to simplify life, for me and my family, in ways that bring us more connection, to each other, ourselves, and our community. Have less stuff so we can enjoy our home more. Plan meals in advance so dinner time isn't hectic and crazy. Take care of our bodies so that we aren't too tired or sore to do what is required to maintain. Slow down and really be with each other. Connect to nature. Read more books, watch less tv. This is sounding a lot like what makes the covers of so many magazines, but it is more than Ten Steps to a Happier Family! and more about living in tune with our values, our Intentions, than another thing to do.
So here is to presence, to simplicity, to being and becoming in 2012 and always.
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