Winter Intentions: Rooting Down

I felt the bite of winter last week when the temperature suddenly dropped but there was still no snow on the ground. I then got sick. “Your symptoms are typical of what children have this time of year,” my doctor said. “You must have caught it from your students.”

By the time I came to see her, my cold had gotten worse and a heavy dose of antibiotics was needed. The antibiotics got rid of the bacteria and also my strength. I spent the next week and a half mostly tucked in bed reading and surrendering to healing.

I’m feeling much better now but this idea of ‘surrender’ stays with me as I prepare to welcome the season of winter into my life.

Taking my cue from the season, winter to me is all about surrendering what prevents me from sinking even further down into what gives me strength and warmth and helps me to thrive when everything else has frozen over.

For me, right now this means surrendering whatever persistent fears are still lingering from the past year, especially the ones that feed self-doubt.

These are some of the most difficult fears to let go of and I know of no better way to do it than to acknowledge that they exist and then refuse to entertain them. This is the only way I’m going to be able to encourage deep rest and healing this winter season.

Other ways I’m tapping into the energy of the season:

I’m expressing open gratitude for the things I have.

This particular time of year is really hard for many people. The inflation here is increasing and many people are finding it hard to make ends meet. Witnessing this on a day to day basis makes it really difficult to get into the holiday mood. Instead I find myself feeling grateful for basic things like food, warmth, family and small acts of kindness.

I’m finding value in the things I have to curb buying new things.

I went through my stuff recently and found out that I had so much more than I thought I did. I also re-discovered things that I had forgotten about which meant that I could take things off my list of things to buy.

I’m not giving into the stress of what things should look like.

Christmas Eve is just around the corner and no, I haven’t bought any presents nor a Christmas tree. I’ll bring in a few fallen branches and light candles. Christmas here is going to be low key.

I’m going to spend time making things by hand.

Yes, this includes cookies but also other seasonal crafts.

These are some of the themes I’ll be exploring.