After returning some purchases from the holidays, I was strolling without purpose through the store when I saw this big dear old bear slumped under the bright lights with apparent exhaustion—right in the middle of the store. I thought, “Now that says it all.” The holidays are behind us, the New Year has begun, and we get right back on the fast track of kicking off our resolutions with good intentions and gusto but often with depleted energy.
I love a fresh start. Unfortunately the launch of the New Year comes right when we all need to slow down a bit, to quiet the busy mind, rest the body, and nurture the soul. We need to hibernate. Going within on a regular basis creates a trusted communication with our inner voice that is empowering and authentic—it gives rise to clarity where there has been confusion.
The cycles of nature always have our back. When we pay attention to the request from Mother Earth to synchronize with the energy of the season there is an alignment that is supportive, insightful, and puts us right where we need to be.
Without the rest, that very sweet dormant period, we block our creativity and wisdom. As Albert Einstein once said, “No problem can be solved with the same level of consciousness that created it.” Taking breaks, enjoying deep rest is an opportunity to elevate our level of consciousness. From that place answers emerge to guide us on our path for any new phase or stage of life.
We yearn for this quiet deep down inside. If you struggle with holding space for yourself in this way, begin with smaller periods of time, continuing every week to stretch into larger periods of non-doing. I spoke with one client about intentionally creating more down time over the next few months and she responded by acknowledging that it made her uncomfortable. She realized that when she slows down her discomfort about choices she’s making in her life arise. When she stays busy there isn’t space for that distraction. Aha! So true!
The landscape of all of our lives is ever changing. It’s not intended to stay the same. There is always room for growth, self-compassion, understanding and forgiveness. We just might need to snuggle up with a cup of tea, watch the winter scene of bare branches swaying in the cold breeze, and give ourselves some well-deserved time to hibernate.
Can you imagine creating a resolution that allows your body, mind, and spirit to rest and get re-charged for what lies ahead? It is totally within the realm of possibility that if we gift ourselves this experience, our lives can shift from mediocre to magnificent or even miraculous. It’s just a thought, but maybe as we begin this New Year, we give our inner bear permission to take the lead.
