Light and Darkness
When the nights are long, our bodies yearn to slow down; to pause and look for light.
It’s reflected in our traditions around the world and across ideologies. Candles light up our jack-o-lanterns, windowsills, and yule logs. Twinkling lights adorn our houses, inside and out. We brighten our spaces with light to bring comfort and hope.
Darkness is important, though. It forces us to get quiet, move more slowly, and engage our other senses.
When we are comfortable, we don’t change or make adjustments. Winter is Mother Nature’s way of forcing us into the womb space – dark and tight – and asking us to notice our points of discomfort. Where do we want to evolve and grow before our rebirth in the spring?
Comfort and joy are wonderful to experience but never bring growth and maturity. It is our most difficult moments that bring the greatest rewards in life. Our greatest sorrows reflect our biggest joys. And these long winter nights ask us to spend time feeling, really feeling, some of the feelings and emotions we pushed down and put off in the busyness of life.
My socks have been wearing out lately – I must have a half dozen pairs that have gotten holes in them recently. What starts out as thinning fibers in the heel or toes, by the end of the day becomes grossly uncomfortable, rubbing in the same spot, as if I were walking with a pebble in my shoe. I have a choice: darn them or replace them. Darning will take more effort, but my wool socks are in perfectly good condition everywhere but where the hole is and it seems like making the effort is a good choice. Replacing them will definitely be faster and easier, but what if the new pairs are cheaper material and I don’t like them as much?
Winter is asking us to look at things in our life like old socks. What beliefs, things, hurts, habits, or even people are worth putting in the time and effort to mend, and what needs tossing and/or replacing? What do we want around come Spring when it’s time to birth the life we want?
Lately, my Guardian Angel has been making themself known – my constant light and companion, reminding me that I’m not alone. These feelings that are surfacing in the darkness are nothing to fear. I only need to decide: keep and mend, or replace with something new? I don’t need to remain in my discomfort. Heal? Or let go? It’s time to decide.
