Every season provides a guide map for living. The last few months I have talked about letting go of what doesn’t serve you, finding gratitude for your blessing as well as provided yoga sequences that help to calm the mind and lead to surrender in preparation for the coming winter. As Autumn is a season to harvest life’s blessings, winter is a season to internalize them as well as create and cultivate for the coming spring.
Winter is a season to rest, relax and restore. In nature you will find animals hibernating, the trees bare and the ground cold. On the outside it doesn’t look like much is happening in this seemingly sleepy season. However, it’s in this restful state animals preserve their energy, the trees cultivate new growth and seeds are rooting beneath the surface of that cold ground. New life is preparing to be born in the coming spring. Once again, we have to remind ourselves we are not separate from this universal connection. We too feast before the winter, we go to be earlier and often spend more time indoors where we are forced to relax or be creative.
If we are conscious of this natural progression we can then reap the benefits in a more abundant way. This is a season to nurture yourself. Rest, read, write, drink tea and eat warm foods and spend time with those you love to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
I know what you’re thinking… “Winter a restful season? This is the busiest time of year!” Yes, the end of the year often bodes of holiday festivities, shopping, wrapping, people pleasing, family stress, lots of drinking and then once it’s all over, everyone bogs themselves down with New Years Resolutions. However, it’s only that way if we choose. If we practice bringing mindful attention to this time of year we can say yes to what is absolutely necessary and let go of the rest. Also, no matter how many parties or feasts or “to do’s” you have on your list, making arrangements to nourish and restore yourself is a necessity. Self love and care is not selfish, it’s what helps us cultivate our best selves. Without that, we aren’t much good to anyone else.
In yoga we have a term, Aparigraha, that translates to non-attachment/possessiveness. In other words, it refers to keeping the desire for possessions to what is necessary or important, depending on one's life stage and context. I’ve always felt this is a perfect life lesson for this time of year, when we are so focused on the giving of things, or looking good for others. Not that these things aren’t fun or that I don’t participate but again bringing the mindful awareness to that in which is happening created by mankind and participate only to which that is healthy for you and your family will be more a service in the long run.
You may be wondering why I bring Aparigraha up when this article is supposed to be about winter. Exactly! This is a season of rest. So, enjoy your festivities, gift giving and love of family and friends. Let it nourish you and restore you. If it isn’t doing that, take a moment to observe and find where you can bring mindful attention for more peaceful resolutions. It’s in this space you will be further empowered to create and cultivate what you will be bringing forth in the coming spring.
Would love to hear from you in the comments below!
How do you relate to the season of winter? Do the holidays bring you stress, if so, how do you think mindful attention can help you? And, what ways to you nourish and restore yourself?
Happy Winter!
Watercolor Painting - Winter Tree by Brenda Owen