Winter Solstice 2015
Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, is upon us bringing with it a time to reflect on the past year, to deepen commitments to ourselves and others, to decide on the goals worthy of our attention for the coming year and to count our blessings as we connect to the natural evolution of the seasons through nature.
The centering affect of the fireplace in our home is the perfect focal point for the Winter Solstice. Today is the longest, darkest day of the year. With tomorrow returns the Light. During this time of year we often focus on the things we don’t have or that didn’t come to pass for us. There may be sadness from the loss of a loved one. Remember, tomorrow is the beginning of expanding Light, Love, Hope and Joy!
I haven’t written my blog for months, for which I deeply apologize. I have been writing, just not here.
This last year brought a multitude of exciting changes and delicious possibilities – too many for me to list here. Yet I will say you will be able to read more from me on a regular basis. I’m now a contributing author to a magazine – both print and digital – called Thriving Women in Business.
The opening topic for the first two months of the year is Make It Your Best Year Ever! I already have six articles written in a series for the digital magazine (one each week in January and the first part of February) and one to launch the print magazine. More on this in future blogs.
Mid-year a very dear friend of mine passed away, Robert Fish, PhD. He was instrumental in encouraging me with my spiritually-based presentations. One of the points about life he shared in his last podcast was, “Don’t die with your gift still inside!” Within a couple of days both before his passing and afterwards I had the title for a new book and several dozen chapter titles.
The Universe conspires with us when we are ready to take the journey and do the tasks needed to accomplish our life purpose. In this case there was a writing contest called Transformational Author’s Experience. We were to write the proposal for our book along with the first chapter and a comparative book analysis.
I entered the contest along with 3000 other people from around the world. There were 15 prizes awarded. I recently learned I was the recipient of one of those prizes. The book continues to evolve with great passion within me.
I’ve been asked to do a number of speaking engagements, some of which require written proposals. I’ve also applied to teach these same workshops as CEU classes for several industries.
Just a week ago I learned I have been selected again as a presenter to the prestigious San Francisco Flower and Garden Show 2016 in mid-March. I’m excited for the opportunity plus the book signings to follow it.
My health is improving constantly for which I am eternally grateful. With the torn ligament in my foot two years ago I was unable to do much of the work I love as well as not able to do presentations. I’m so excited to be back on track to share.
In the meantime I started creating online courses to serve the many requests I have for learning Feng Shui from my perspective. Many angels have come into my life to help fulfill this venue with ease.
The health of my love, Hilory, continues to improve. We have enjoyed several trips together, worked more on finishing our home remodel and growing deeper in love each day, if that is possible.
My grandsons live close to me and I am able to spend time with them on a regular basis. This in itself is a joy. Watching them grow, seeing them learn and making decisions about their lives are gifts. This part of my life is all the more precious when you know I had a son who died 30 years ago at the age of 13 years. I try to pay attention to life in order to not let the sacred in the everyday slip through my fingers unnoticed.
I share this photo of my fireplace as a symbol for the Winter Solstice. This fireplace was just a wall with the gas insert a year ago. Now it has a mantle from East Coast reclaimed white oak barn wood, an Ansel Adams’ black and white photo of Half Dome in Yosemite framed above the mantel and Christmas decorations.
I took this photo tonight. It represents the Light of tomorrow showing up in our lives in many ways. Even when things are darkest, there is always Light someplace. We just need to look for it. Hilory and I found the wood for the mantle about 8 years ago. Last year we traveled to Yosemite for our vacation – the first in 12 years – where we purchased the Ansel Adams photo. Several of the Christmas decorations came from Filoli, a place I enjoy and a place that holds special meaning to both Hilory and myself.
I’m truly blessed.
Where are the dark places in your life? What can you do to focus on the Light around you? Today is the longest, darkest 24-hour period of the year. Tomorrow brings with it more Light, Hope and Love!
Bless you!
