Finding Your Inner Light ~ Winter Solstice

KINDLE YOUR INNER LIGHT

Kin-dle; to light up, illuminate, or make bright.

How is your inner light these days?  Does it burn brightly like a well stoked fire or can you barely find the embers aglow?

 

I've been in a flurry of "doing" activity this December; work and holiday prep, probably like many of you.  As I began my day early at 5am today on Winter Solstice, I nestled into my comfy chair to read the daily mediations from three books I have turned to all year. I found a common theme for the day in all three- light.

 

As the end of December is upon us, the religious holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah arrive along with the winter solstice that occurs today on December 21.   With these, and many other celebrations taking place around the world at this time, the reason is light.

 

Ancient people celebrated light at this time of year by making roaring bonfires and bringing greenery inside the home, all meant to bring life and light to a darkened landscape.   These rituals represented hope for the coming of spring.

 

Like the trees, bushes and plants, we too must push our roots deep within when winter arrives in our lives.    It seems that in the darkest of times, we must go to the depths to find our reservoir of strength and light.  We all have a place within us that is pure light  - the soul.  If you desire a deeper connection to yourself, align with the nature of this season.  Take time to get quiet, listen, feel, re-evaluate, take inventory, let go, and feel the light within you expand.

 

Here are 5 ways to begin stoking your internal fire and begin glowing;

 

  1. Create a gratitude list - write down who and what you are grateful for in your life.  You'll discover how prosperous you truly are.

  2. Choose to be around people who empower you and lift you up.

  3. Be generous with your time and talent and give in the most unexpected way.

  4. Journal - a great way to connect to yourself, your Soul

  5. Get outside and into nature. Bundle up and take a walk.  Breathe the outside air deep into your lungs to cleanse.

By connecting consciously to your internal light, you affect not only yourself but those around you.  To quote Marianne Williamson,

"...and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same".

Susan Cadley