Peaceful

Blessed be this beautiful day; cold, but sunny and bright with a blanket of snow all around and a feeling of peaceful contentment. Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night. It is a time of releasing the pain of the past and moving forward into the hope of the future – a return to the light. I feel that. After Becoming Empty and Lifting Up, I am now Peaceful. There has been a shift in me that is very real, very solid. Not just a change, but a transformation of sorts.

It began with accepting the feelings I was experiencing instead of fighting them or burying them. With that acceptance came a very deep sense of wellbeing. A realization of my strength and my ability to change my perspective by changing my thoughts. Dr. Joe Dispenza explains it as “breaking the habit of becoming yourself”. He refers to our thoughts triggering our memories, which triggers our emotions, which triggers the chemical response in our body, which recreates the original experience as if it was happening in the present (even if that event occurred decades ago). Of course, all of this is happening subconsciously, at least until you become aware of your thoughts and actions/reactions.

So that is what happened to me. I reached back into the past, recalled the memory that was causing dis-ease in me, felt the pain of it, then pulled back and looked at it in a detached way. I then had to tell myself that it was not my current reality. That painful experience was that of a younger me who didn’t have the coping skills that I have now. That little girl who was suffering (and was still inside of me) was calling the shots in my life! It was time to release her and jump into my present. That was a powerful moment. From that inner confrontation of my past, I expected to find a change, but I had no idea how profound and instant that change would be.

I feel different. I feel free. I feel hopeful. The timing couldn’t be better. Today, we begin the journey back to the sun, back to the light. Of course, there is still a long, cold winter ahead, but the hardest part is done. Now is the time to plant the seeds for the future. The time to dream, plan, and prepare for the upcoming season. I am thrilled to my bones about the creating part! In fact, I have been creating much lately. I am full of ideas and excitement; I am often up until the wee hours of the morning creating. I have been painting, drawing mandalas, learning graphic design, and generally feeling heartful every day. My favourite song (I have many), but the one that is feeding my sense of peace right now is called ‘Deep Peace’ by Bill Douglas (choral version). I often listen to that on repeat as I let the wave of peace wash over me. I can only liken it to a steamy, hot, bubble bath that washes away all your stress. Try it, it’s amazing.

Well, friends, on this special day, with these sacred feelings, I leave you to contemplate the path your Solstice journey will take you. How are you planting your seeds for the future as we return to the light? Much love.