As we shift toward the shortest day, nature quietens. The trees let go, preparing for slumber. Animals gather supplies and snug away from harsh, colder weather.
Yet humans seek more activity and artificial light.
Our evolution as a superior species has involved moving further away from our animal nature. We overrule and reshape every natural desire from our sleep cycles, to nutrition and digestion, our movement practices and even the ways we love and live. Then we wonder why we feel exhausted, broken or lost.
We crave intensity so much that we fill our days and evenings with engagements and our minds with lists of to do and desires.
As the light lessens, we find ways to overcome darkness by the flick of a switch. As we become sleepy, we ingest substance to create artificial highs and energy.
We strive so strongly away from nature, that our energy bodies slowly become depleted and fragmented, particularly during December and January when we are supposed to be slowing down but society demands we become busier.
These artificial highs cause imbalances and discomforts which shift to dis-ease. Eventually we are forced to succumb to pause against our will.
Regular moments of pause are the antidote to fragmentation. They let our animal bodies sink naturally into inactivity and deep restoration.
If we fill up our time, we have no space to acknowledge how we feel. A sweet pause - even just an observation of the inhale and exhale - is enough to process the information, sensation, thoughts and energy of any moment.
It’s the noticing, the stopping, the actual observation of how we feel that changes everything.
In slowing down, in pause (which could be perceived as a sleepiness), we get to really feel and awaken.
December is a time for reflection and letting go. A full circle from the beginning of the year.
It’s a sigh. Now is the time when we are permitted to sleep if our body desires. Now, when nature is quietening, we can listen and hear what our hearts are telling us. We can realign and orient to our true north.
Take moments to just sit and observe how we feel. Always returning to the quality of breath and tension in body.
Sometimes it can be useful to stay in places we don’t want to be. But now is not that time. December is for gently letting go of anything that feels out of alignment.
Now is moon time and the winter sleep. Just as the moon reflects energy, we need to reflect upon ours and move intentionally into the next cyclical shift.
Winter sleep doesn’t necessarily mean doing less. It just means noticing when we are doing too much or when we’re moving in the wrong direction.
It’s easy to stay distracted and busy. We’re told that now is the time to But life is more fulfilling when we make time to observe and actively choose how we want to move through life.
Winter sleep. Slowing down softly enough to notice.
Notice what matters. To you. In this moment.
