Dec 20 2008
Staying Inspired When It’s Dark and Cold.
It’s the day before winter solstice and as well as being the darkest day of the year it is also the coldest! I have an article that was due yesterday and I am needing to get inspired. How does one get inspired out of a cold dark place?
For me it’s all about moving energy. So I got off the computer, left my heater, bundled up in the warmest things I own, pulled on my boots and went out into the windy, snowy, cold day.
My little dog, Poppet, who is about 6 inches off the ground, didn’t have any problem at all. She just pranced around and couldn’t wait to get moving. In fact, she was impatient while posing for this photo. “let’s get on with it,” she said.
We walked all the way around the block. I felt like a real trooper. The cold air woke me up and I could feel the cobwebs in my brain dropping away.
When we got to the corner, the neighborhood kids were all paying in their yard, laughing and having so much fun making snow balls and savoring every minute of the experience.
Aha, this is what’s it’s all about. Feeling free, passionate, alive, breathing and then coming inside and having hot soup. My brain is switched on again. How do you get yourself moving and keep the energy flowing?
As I sit here reading your post, I am doing multiple yawns. Seems being in side, in a warm room, looking out at the snow makes me sleepy.
I know what I need. Haven’t done my 30 minutes on the glider and elliptical machine yet today.
I am somewhat a coward because I see icicles hanging from the edge of the roof.
Oh, Bob just brought some more hot cocoa mix home from the island market. Freezing cold walk in the snow or a cup of hot cocoa? Hmmm.
Well, I’m reporting that I DESERVE a nap! I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! On this darkest day of the year, in the darkest room in the house – my bedroom in the basement.
It is so full of stuff that I feel most days as if I cannot breathe in there. In the middle of the little bit of floor space sits a trunk full of unfinished projects that I brought with me from Connecticut over five years ago.
Tomorrow the light begins to return and in my room, there will be breathing room. I am setting a solstice intention to clear space. My word for 2009 is circulation. And clearing space in my room is my first act of increasing circulation in my body, in my home, in my life and in my spirit.
But a nap sure would be nice.
Tonight is our 11th Annual Winter Solstice Gathering. Fran will be walking over here with her pot of soup. Usually we have 50-70 people who attend, but with this snowy weather I believe whomever shows up will be who is supposed to be here. Some of the most key players, who are so integral to our ceremony, aren’t coming because of the road conditions. For me, 20 days after total hip replacement surgery, I feel at peace in the knowledge that everyone else will pull this together, and it will all be just fine. There is a “just fine”ness in plans that go awry. The exercise of letting go of expectations and not being a victim to disappointment, is good for flexibility. So Fran, Kaya, Judy, and whomever, I’m going to lay down for a nap and be ready to work my butt off once my husband and housemate return for the store. Tonight we will birth ourselves anew to this new, renewed time. We will shed our baggage and illuminate that which we wish to bring into our lives. We will begin a new cycle of growth and living.
Thanks for your words Kaya. I am pleased your body felt well enough to walk the block. And I love the picture of you and Poppet! This weather has really taught us what the time of winter is about.
I took this weather as an opportunity to write Solstice cards to far away friends, as I watched the beauty of the snow falling outside my window. Then I braved the wind and snow to walk to the post office and mail them – after chasing pop bottles down the street that had fallen from my neighbors knocked over by the wind trash can. Came home to my favorite “Sicky winter soup”. Humm!
I planned to walk the 2.5 miles to Cedar Sanctum, but I think the wind is just too strong for that long of a walk. I’m just far enough out that we get the Gorge effects. Great for sitting by the fire -not so great for a long evening walk.
On one of the earlier snow days with less wind, I stepped out to shovel my sidewalk and driveway and ended up clearing a path along the sidewalk for the length of my block. I chuckled at my neighbors trying to figure out how the snow left just one area of the sidewalk dry. Then I made a tiny snow woman before going in and getting ready to see clients.
Wishing you all the wisdom of the darkness and the birth of the light. Blessed Be
Judy
I can so relate about the exercise. My usual exercise is aqua jogging which involves getting to the pool which is the first obstacle and the second is my inertia about getting into cool water on a day like this. I did go soak in the hot pools last night and moved around a little. Does that count?
Fran
I can so picture your trunk with your stuff from five years ago. At least you have moved it out and maybe this is one of the blessings of a snow storm- we finally get to these jobs!
And oh my God- we have the same 2009 word. Mine is also “circulation.” What is means to me is allowing everything to flow and move easily all they way through from conception to completion. I look forward to sharing the ritual with you tonight and hearing what it means for you. Hope you had your nap. I am so looking forward to the return of the light tomorrow. I have my Hanukah candles all ready to light tomorrow night.
Stacy,
I will be there tonight. Wayne put the chains on the car so he can get to work tomorrow but we are so close by we could ski over ( if we still owned skis).
I look forward to letting go of my baggage with you as my witness and being around your fire.
Danahy
I can understand you not wanting to do that long walk tonight. I hope took a photo of your snow woman and will send it to us. Enjoy your evening and if you magically turn up I’ll look forward to seeing you too.
Wow, I’m really late on answering here, but I also have hindsight in my corner! (I really love the contributions so far. They’re very reassuring.)
SE 40th Avenue is pretty much still socked-in with snow, even as the temperature goes up. I’ve found over the past several days that when slumpiness arrives, the best thing for me to is to bundle up (which wakes one up right there, right Kaya? Man, what an effort!) and head out into the elements–preferably with hubby and dog, and preferably at midnight, when it’s not only gorgeous but also eerie. It looked like Currier & Ives for a while out here in Woodstock, with all the little bungalows and their wooden fences, streets completely obscured by purple-white snow. Utterly enchanting. And even when I did go out at a more reasonable hour, I always found some kind of treasurable experience, sight or insight. (honestly, very late at night it’s like walking through a Grimm’s fairytale. The Hansel and Gretal cottage is just down the street!)
Anyway, I’ve been watching my dog Harry for info on how to act during this whole thing. Here’s what I’ve observed:
*He doesn’t like the idea of going out AT ALL, but he’s always absolutely delighted that he did.
*He can go to the bathroom anytime, anywhere (?)
*He’ll be pretty active for a little while but he’ll want to sleep most of the day (Randy and I finally figured out he wasn’t sick, he was a mammal! It’s wintertime! We’re all supposed to hibernate . . . or at least take a nap).
*He comes back refreshed and ready for the next new idea. Hm.
I’ll be okay as long as I can (unlike poor old Harr) wear something on my bum when I go out.
Happy New Year, everybody!
Caroline
I know just what you mean about the enchanting-ness of snow. It covers up everything so it all looks pristine and it’s so peaceful. I haven’t been out at midnight as that’s way past my bed time but I like going out at night too.
However- I am ready for the snow to be gone. I miss riding my bike. To be honest ( and I always like to be) I am very looking forward to spring. Maybe when the snow melts I’ll see the first crocuses popping up. Maybe wishful thinking but so what!
Kaya,
I can’t help saying how adorable – and happy –
you both look in that photo
For Danish me, what helps are the following ….
• Full-spectrum lights (sunlight-like) in my study,
• walk/talk breaks ever 2-3 hours with friends (and dogs),
• keeping an eye on my main goal and top “to do” today
+
reward when I do (yes that is child-like but so what?!)
Kare
Haha- I am not sure I felt adorable right then but Thanks!
I love your three things.
I love rewards and they do work.
Full spectrum lights are on the top of my list! Thanks for the reminder.
When I’m in a writing slump and need some energy to get back into things, just taking a break can do wonders. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what needs to get done that I have trouble focusing. Taking a break usually will help me to clear my head. Taking a photo for your blog is a great idea.
This winter it has been too snowy and cold to run outside much, which is what I love to do on warmer days, so I bought a series of TV episodes. I walk on the treadmill while watching a full show. By the time the show is over, my walk is done and I feel great.
Kimberly
Thanks for chiming in. I agree about taking breaks. When I have trouble writing just getting out of the house for awhile helps. I ride my bike a couple miles and while I am riding I get inspired about what to write next.
Good solution about the treadmill and TV. Kaya