Be Still

The day light is visibly getting shorter, and the holiday season is upon us. While I have mixed feelings about how frantic life gets during this time of the year, I recognize it is also time to be grateful. It’s definitely not that I’m not grateful at other times because I am, but it becomes pretty obvious as we meet the end of the year to look back and realize it’s time to give thanks. It’s also obvious today that the last almost 2 years have been so monumentally difficult in all kinds of ways for most of us.

As we meet the day in a year when we’re particularly grateful for whatever we’re grateful for, I am reminded of all the “things” I am grateful for DESPITE the seeming challenges and losses I had in my life this past year. I attended a sacred circle a few weeks ago where the ceremony started out with stating what we were grateful for. First thing that came to my mind was all the people in my life who believe in me in spite of my own limited belief. While I had more than a average share of losses, I’ve also made some deeply heart-aligned connections with people around the country this year. When I cannot see the progress I’m making; when I cannot believe in my own strength and capacity, I have so many people who can remind me of who I am. Somehow they can see me better than I can. The truth is that goes the other way, which I’m grateful to be able to reciprocate.

Way back when the indigenous people lived without electricity or civilization as we know it around the world, they lived with the natural cycle: when day got shorter and darkness lasted longer, they knew to go inside. It was time to go within, reflect and regenerate. I have a desire to go into a cave and get still for the rest of the year although I know that’s not going to happen. Yet, it IS a good time to carve out some time to get still and be with ourselves however restless we are.

I’d like to be more expansive and inclusive around my gratitude. Beyond my beloved family and friends, I am truly grateful for this Earth to be so accommodating although I know it cannot sustain this way much longer; for the wisdom we are collectively accumulating and reaching towards the critical mass; and most of all, just a time to be still — even for a brief moment.

Giving thanks🙏