We got a fresh blanket of snow last night as we were falling asleep, which meant waking up to a bit of a winter wonderland.
The colder, darker winter has honestly always been one of my favorite times of year.
It’s a reminder to slow down, to be present, to snuggle in, to rest.
When it’s freezing outside, we circle around a fire that offers warmth.
As it becomes dark earlier, the presence of light from twinkling branches or a night sky full of stars becomes undeniable.
I will forever be in awe of this time of year and the way it seems to push me toward hope no matter where I look.
I don’t know what’s going on in your life right now, but I’m guessing there’s at least one challenge that you’re facing.
Perhaps you’re struggling with body changes and it’s feeling extra hard because you’ll be around people you haven’t seen in a while.
Perhaps you’re feeling challenged by family dynamics magnified by holiday gatherings.
Perhaps you’re in a tough financial situation, which feels extra tight because of the desire and / or pressure to gift this time of year.
Perhaps you’re navigating grief and each ornament or song intensifies its depth.
Perhaps it’s a health challenge or overwhelm or something else or all of the above.
Because we are all human and part of the human experience is struggle, I’m guessing there’s at least one challenge (small, large, or something in between) that you’re facing right now.
Take a moment, hands on your heart, to acknowledge what’s feeling hard for you right now. Give a voice to what you’re struggling with. Provide a small safe space to see it, feel it, and say it.
While our circumstances and experiences may be different, our humanness — and therefore human struggle — is something we all share. You’re not alone.
How can you use the reminders of this season…
The warmth in the cold…
the light in the darkness…
the push toward hope…
to help you in your current human moment of challenge?
Perhaps you allow your body changes to be an opportunity to practice appreciating your body for all she does for you rather than putting your worth into how she looks.
Perhaps you allow the tough family dynamics to be an opportunity to articulate loving boundaries with family members so that your inner child can feel cared for and protected.
Perhaps you allow your tighter financial situation to be an opportunity to show love in a different way, by letting those in your life know how much they mean to you.
Perhaps you allow your grief to be an opportunity to begin a deep healing process.
Wishing you warmth, light, and hope. Not instead of struggle or challenge but because of it.
Can you allow the struggle to illuminate the warmth, light, and hope? What does that look like for you currently?
