Wintering

It's December, a month of transition from Autumn to Winter and one year to the next. The temperatures are dipping lower, reminding me to slow down and pause but there is so much to do during the holiday season. 

Lately, I wake up thinking about what needs to be accomplished. Autumn decorations need to be boxed for next year. The laundry room is full of wash. Cookies need to be baked for our Cookies With Santa event. This hardly sounds like a slow-down day!

 What happened to reconnecting with nature? It's a frigid day so I shall spend most of the day indoors, pausing between the to-dos. I check in during afternoons and again at night to reflect on my heartthoughts that help me relax.

With that in mind, I am delighted that Kim Haynes Johnson, host of this month's Spiritual Journey Thursday, offers wintering as our theme.  I spent several days pondering how to create a slow-down period with warm memories. Then I found inspirational quotes and samples of Katherine May's book, Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times .

Wintering brings about some of the most profound and insightful moments of our human experience and wisdom resides in those who have wintered. -Kathering May, Wintering: the Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

As the winter winds blow in and snowstorms blanket many parts of the country. winter brings the opportunity to slow down and turn inward, beckoning us to come back to ourselves (Hilary Nicholls). Self-care during the winter is important. I hope to reach beyond my personal to-dos to give to others, especially my family. With an open mind and heart, I shall pass through the winter season with a mindful and positive attitude. Short pauses will help me reconnect with nature, faith, family, friends, and creativity.

Wintering Whispers

Looking out from my picture window

I see the beauty of a winter blue sky.

Almost bare trees sway in the distance.

I open the door to feel the cold. Brrr! 

Frosty December days are here. 

          Layers of clothing are needed.

Before checking off the to-do list

I pause, the holidays are nearing.

I breathe in crisp air and smile. Our 

family dinner after Grandmasitting

warms my heart. The memories last.

My little grandgirls were cuddled up,

with winter throws next to the fireplace.

Crumbs from the family dinner spread

Across the table. One quiet request was

Asked. Grandma, can I have a cookie? 

We were all present enjoying together-

Time as it should be. The onset of winter

Brings rest and renewal, transforming 

Thoughts beyond an ordinary day into

A shared experience with loved ones. 

Is it wintering that moves heartthoughts, 

Transforming my next spiritual journey?

draft ©CVarsalona, 2024 

I pause here to listen to an excerpt from the book, Wintering, by Katherine May. I hope you enjoy it also.

I close with another quote from Katherine May that inspires me to rethink next year's spiritual journey since this year has been a difficult one. 

“Wintering is the courage to stare down the worst parts of our experience and to commit to healing them the best we can.”

The healing part of life is what I am interested in now. Winter provides the time to plant seeds of renewal. I look forward to the soothing warmth of a nearby fireplace and the laughter of children enjoying the winter.

Wintering is every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself.-Elizabeth Gilbert

 

Thank you to Kim Haynes Johnson for hosting the Spiritual Journey

and 

Carol Labuzzetta for hosting Poetry Friday. 

  Suppose you have not read Carol's fabulously designed Picture Perfect Poetry, An Anthology   of Ekphrastic Nature Poetry for Students.  You may be interested in this book. Carol gathered a beautiful collection of ekphrastic poems and designed it in color. This would make a lovely gift for the holidays. You can read a sample here.

Note: I send my apologies to Poetry Friday friends for not commenting last week. A dear friend passed away and we had to travel from Virginia to Long Island for the weekend.