Monday, December 21, 2009

We Shift Towards the Light

It seems this is a powerful time of year for memories. Perhaps because it is the longest night of the year. Perhaps because when we gyre around again and touch the same touchstones, we are closer to the centre of ourselves than we are at other times of the year.



It seems that when we open those boxes of old ornaments, when we dance the steps of the old rituals, we remember everything we tucked away all year. We trace the patterns of our experience and we remember. We remember the last “I love you's”, and the gardens we were so lucky to grow up in.


Perhaps that is why we need the transformation this season holds; the festival, the music, the rekindling of our selves, the opportunity to renew old friendships, heal old wounds and redress old transgressions.


It’s an opportunity to hold those we love closer, to make new friends, and to rediscover our own generosity of spirit. It’s a time to dig deep inside ourselves and find our “funny” – to make ourselves laugh and others laugh.


If you have lost someone, you know that in the heart of your joy this season, there is a light of love burning bright for all those whom you have loved. If you need a hug to acknowledge that love and embrace it into your joy, then I am sending you one, right now.

In case you need a smile and a giggle, enjoy this music, and I hope that it finds you grinning and chuckling as it does me:




Tomorrow, the sun turns our way and as gardeners, we walk out to meet it, seed catalogues in hand, with joy and with laughter.

11 comments:

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

This post is quite stunning, dear. The sepia hued photos of cherished ornaments nicely complement your prose, which speaks to me deeply. The ukelele music does indeed get my toes a'tappin'!

MILLIE said...

I too like your sepia ornament photos. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. It is indeed a time for reflecting and finding our funny to get through these dark days--even though the outdoors is amazing this time of year.

miss m said...

The talented Ms. S strikes again. What a deep and beautiful post !
... and great giggle as well :) (Gotta love the Brits and the BBC !)

Happy Winter solstice !

OF SPRING AND SUMMER said...

Time to sit in front of the fire! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Rebecca @ In The Garden said...

Your pictures are absolutely beautiful and mezmerising. Have a wonderful holiday season!

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

GHT: You are too kind. This is such a heartfelt season for me, I love it. I am realizing that being radiantly happy and a little weepy at the same time makes perfect sense. I don't think it's always one or the other. Much joy to you this season!

mlc: Thank you for stopping by! I love the outdoors this time of year. There's nothing like bundling up and going for a family walk to look at the Christmas lights. Merry Christmas to you!

miss m: You make me blush :) Don't you just love the British humour and the BBC?? I'm so grateful that original and creative performers get to be heard. Happy Solstice to you too!!

Of Spring and Summer: You enjoy the season as well!

Rebecca: Thank you :) Enjoy this wonderful time with your family!! I wish you all the best for the new year!

Deborah at Kilbourne Grove said...

Well said! Holidays are the time that family and friends become firstmost in our thoughts, why can't it be like that all the time? Why does work and our daily routines take so much time away from what is truly important?
I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas, and spend lots of happy times with your loved ones.

Northern Beauty Seeker said...

Hi Deborah, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas - and a very relaxing New Year! :-)

Anna said...

A belated happy winter solstice to you - oh what a joyous day:) A few seed catalogues have arrived in the post this week. I am looking forward to a good read over Christmas.

Ruthie Redden said...

thank you for this beautiful & thought provoking post. and thank you too for the support & lovely comments that you leave on my blog. wishing you a wonderful christmas and heres to a new year of blogging and gardening in 2010 x

Far Side of Fifty said...

Uffda, I popped over after your comment..Thank you! I tell ya, the pleasure was mine..this is such a from the heart post..you spin magic with your words and photos..It is nice to meet you! :) Connie