I am writing this post because I am very curious about how far we have gotten from slowing down, sitting around a fire place, taking time to be with our inner rhythms. The Winter Solstice used to be a time of contemplation, of down time, of being with our shadows – to prepare the way for the coming light!
On Saturday, I am planning to take some me-time. Some time to contemplate, to review this past year. One intention I had for 2019 was to fill my container, to patch the leaks in it. That is fill my body with loving-kindness, clarity and potency. I came close. Honestly though (full disclosure), I think I am now much more aware of the amount of leaks I had. I was giving some of my energy to Doing, rather than Being. I was giving some energy to pleasing and placating others. I was distracting myself from feeling deeper emotions. I am now much more clear about how much time I need to spend doing loving-kindness practices with myself – Metta, saying Baby Messages to my little one (from Birth Process Work / Pre- and Perinatal Psychology), visualizing healing light moving through my body, etc.
And I am going to continue that in 2020. Loving myself. 2020 is the year of Kirby. My needs come first. I am going to spend time being, being in the flow, and less time worrying about others, others’ needs, and less time doing, less time staying busy. Doing (things for the sake of being busy) and staying busy distract me from feeling what is just below the surface. And I want to feel that, to heal that.
I am planning to ponder what I want from 2020. Yes to continue deepening this theme of filling my container with health and appropriate altruism – loving myself as much as everyone else. I want to continue chewing on these various projects I have going. What brings me the most joy? What stretches me?
Oh and also, how is it that the ramping up to Christmas has become such a cluster F&#K? Pardon my language, but people have been driving crazy these past couple of weeks. Stores are underhanded – stress abounds this time of year! Why? Is this necessary? Either back off of the gift giving – yes get something special for your closest loved ones – Or start planning much earlier.
But on Saturday, the longest night, the shortest day, the Winter Solstice, take some time. Slow down. Be with your breath. Spend time with presence. Let the presents go for a day. Find a good yoga video – spend at least 20 – 30 minutes doing that. Go for a walk. Nature loves to sooth angst-filled-hearts.
Here are some suggestions of things to do on this upcoming Winter Solstice:
- Go back over this past year in your mind, did you accomplish your goals? Did you come close to your intention?
- What were my accomplishments this past year?
- What do you want to work on next year? What is your intention for the New Year? Is it do-able, is it kind, is it provocative?
- Spend time meditating – what practices / lifestyle changes / behaviors do you want to adopt in this new year? Start now!
- Slow down
- Spend time in nature
- Take a bath by candle light
- Take time with your closest loved ones, read a nice story, take it easy, less to do, and more sharing time and presence with each other
- Find a prayer that touches you and do a little ritual around that – light a candle at least
- Go see a play – theater that is
- Turn off the TV, the social media, the computer games
- Spend time in good company
- Find a retreat that you enjoy – whether meditation, or Christian getaway, or Buddhist, the ManKind Project retreats, etc.
Good luck rekindling our heart’s desire for renewal and rebirth! Take time to digest how this past year has been for you. What do you want to continue? What do you want to do differently?
May all beings find restoration and rejuvenation!
Thank you for reading,
Kirby Moore
Konchog Chakchen
You can visit Kirby’s website at http://www.mkirbymoore.com, there you will find the bodywork and astrology services which he offers. If you are interested, you can sign up for the Astrology Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dsiMwj
Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation 