The season changes are one of God’s ways of gently ushering in the needed changes of life. Everything in the Universe is connected and season changes effect more than our environment. A particular season has everything to do with what and how we eat, our activity and energy levels, and physiological and psychological changes. Our bodies even have different nutritional needs from one season to the next. The environment affects us on so many levels. I believe that if we align ourselves with the cyclic and predictable seasonal changes we can use the energy of the current season to not only more readily welcome necessary growth and expansion, but can also stay in rhythmic balance with Divine timing.

All of nature comes to a halt during the winter. The trees are barren and animals have retreated from the colder temperatures. All natural life is in a state of death or hibernation. Everything is literally in a resting state until the time of rebirth in the spring.

It all begins today December 21st, the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice denotes the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The remaining short days of the winter time frame encourage us to slow down a bit, get more rest while also giving us time for less physical and intangible activities like reflecting and preparing.  Our quiet reflection will help us prepare for the rebirth of our improved and expanded selves. By the time the longer days arrive we should be rejuvenated and ready for action.

It’s also no coincidence that the Winter Solstice is just days before the New Year. Endings are really beginnings so this is a great time to ponder on the previous months. This gives us an opportunity to clarify what we truly want, release all that we don’t and create an improvement plan for the upcoming year. From the date of this writing spring is approximately 89 days away. I see nothing but space and opportunity in that! How about you?

Here are a few ways for you to make the best out of this winter season.

Rest- Due to the decreased natural light in our days, our physical bodies may automatically begin to let us know it wants to rest and relax more. Our mental stamina may even lag a bit. Some may begin feeling a bit lazy or unmotivated. This however may not be the case. It may be our minds and bodies just coordinating with the natural rhythm of Mother Nature. It would be good not to push yourself too much during this time frame. Be sure to listen to your body and mind and get adequate rest. This also doesn’t necessarily imply literally sleeping the winter away like a hibernating bear but instead taking more time to meditate, read and spend some quiet time with Spirit. The focus during this time frame is self-care.

Reflection- Because we are physically slowing down, it opens up a great opportunity to begin reflecting on this past year and also to identify what we may want to sow in the upcoming months leading to the spring. If you don’t own a journal, this is a great time to get one. There you should express candidly all that has occurred this past year, the highs and the lows. Then describe how you can improve upon your circumstances. Be gentle with yourself yet honest. The purpose is to get the full picture of where you are and where, what and who you would like to become. Don’t forget to note the positives and extend gratitude for them for you have made it through another year!

Preparation- Now that you have reflected upon this past year you can begin mentally, emotionally and spiritually preparing yourself for what you will be manifesting during the next several months. This process should not be a rushed one and should be well thought about. Little by little, day by day think more about what you want to accomplish. This simple act alone will help your subconscious mind start bringing helpful ideas that will guide you towards your desired outcomes by bringing them to the forefront of your conscious mind. A good start is to get a 5 subject notebook and title the subjects as such; Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial. On the first page of each section write down all your goals and all that you desire to accomplish in 2019. Here is not the place to allow your limitations to persuade what you list! Do not consider the “how” during this process; just write down all you desire. If you happen to have an idea of how you can accomplish your goal then yes, write it down! Look at these goals every day and by mid-January to early February you should have a solid but flexible plan broken down into simple daily actions that will ensure your success!

Incubation- Now that we’ve established that like the external environment, we too will be decreasing the excessive busyness of our lives, we can allow our desires and goals to incubate. To incubate means to develop, grow or take form. Although that sounds like activity it is more an internal and slow development that occurs without immediate perceptible signs. Just like an oak tree in the winter. Although it is without leaves the tree itself is still living and the leaves lie dormant awaiting the time to begin sprouting once again. Or in the case of an unhatched baby bird; on the outside no one can see the baby developing under the warmth of its mother day by day. For us this would look like quiet, calm contemplation on our goals and the small steps we can take to reach them. This would also look like us having faith that we can be in a state of “being” rather than “doing” and still accomplish much.

Overall this season is about taking advantage of these colder and darker days to focus on rest and self-care. It is about flowing and allowing and not forcing. It is a time that can be of great benefit, especially since most of us have a hard time slowing ourselves down. No worries, Mother Nature got us covered!