Meteor trail over San Francisco Bay at sunset of winter solstide.
Today is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere – the darkest day of the darkest week of the year.
It is the moment before the balance shifts and light begins to overtake darkness.
There is a brief moment of change, a pause, as the sun changes direction from decrease to increase.
This darkest day of the darkest week beckons us to pause.
What does any great athlete do before they…
…. dive into the water
…. throw the discus
…. grab the rings
They pause.
What are they thinking about?
Nothing — absolutely nothing.
They clear their minds.
That’s what the solstice beckons us to do.
Just stop and be present.
Go a little more slowly. Be a little gentler.
Wait a moment before you think about what to do next, how to solve the problem on your mind or your goals for the new year.
In a moment the darkness will begin to recede and light will begin to increase. Hope and desire will increase. Then it will be time to reflect on the past and set goals to guide us forward.
But first, take a moment to simply pause.
This is the special moment of between – the moment that separates what was from what can be.
This is my annual tribute to the winter solstice. I hope you can take some time between the festivities of the holidays to relax, be present, and think about nothing.
Photo credit: L James Johnson
What a beautiful tribute to presence. Thank you, Jesse. Happy solstice.
So glad to hear you appreciated it, Marcia. Warm wishes for the holidays!
Merry Christmas Jesse Lyn Stoner.
Thank you for your thoughtful message, we all need a ‘pause that refreshes’.
All the best for 2019!
Steve L. Wintner
Thank you Steve. Best wishes to you and yours for the holidays and the new year!
Thanks, Jesse Lyn. Will trade you for mine: garygruber.com/winter-solstice-2018
Celebrate joyfully. Remember, we are temporal, light is eternal.
G.
I enjoyed your post, Gary – a deeper investigation into the celebration of light.
I love love this! we become so harried and hurried at tis time of the year. The thought of hunkering down, waiting in silence–being as quiet as a snow fall…. now that’s powerful. Blessings on you, dear Jesse
Being as quiet as a snow fall… what a lovely image. Thanks Eileen.
Thoughtful and beautiful writing with such an important message. The darkest day of the darkest month is really a very important reminder that from the cold will come warmth and light. We all gain so much by clearing our minds and allowing our strength and love to shine through.
Beautifully and wisely said, Mary. Many thanks for adding your thoughts!
Jesse thank you for reminding us to take a moment. A beautiful message now and everyday. Happy holidays!
Warm wishes to you for the holidays and the new year, Maureen!
Thank you for the reminder Jesse. I stopped cooking and sat a while looking at the darkening sky above the river – so grateful I paused.
Delighted to hear that, Fay!
Yes, Yes and Yes!
🙂
Thank you for a wonderful message. I just paused and was mindful of my breath. It let me focus on myself instead of others.
… and when we take time to reconnect with ourselves, we are able to connect more deeply with others.