Happy Winter Solstice
Happy Winter Solstice!
Winter is a time of feasting. The sun goes down early, the cold swoops in, and we eat a little more to keep warm for the long night ahead. As we honor what it is to go inward in the colder, darker months ahead, I hope that you will, from time to time, open up to the possibility of encountering the person in the mirror. I hope, from time to time, you will take the leap and give back your heart to yourself, to the stranger who has always loved you.
During this season, I am so very grateful for each of you. As I reflect of how much I have to be grateful for including my family, my home, my friends, my health, my clients, my business, I am intentionally slowing down and focusing inward to feel the warmth of all that surrounds me.
Life can get so busy at this time of year, but if we intentionally pause, it can be a wonderful opportunity to sit quietly, reflect, and realize how wonderful it all actually is.
Despite pandemics, politics, family crisis, external circumstances, or anything else going on outside of ourselves, what I know to be true is that there is always an abundance of things to be grateful for.
The more you express and recognize your gratitude for them, the more wonderful things you invite into your life!
This year I am so grateful for all the opportunities I had to travel. My husband and I spent 3 months living in an RV in Florida at the beginning of the year. We connected with old friends and made new ones. I traveled to Cape Cod and Boston twice to see family, my girls took me away for a surprise Birthday weekend in Ithaca, we visited friends in the Thousand Islands, went on a family cruise and another cruise with just my husband and myself. I traveled with my husband, my kids and my friends. I held retreat Upstate New York. The opportunity to share mindset work, mindfulness and community is something I am eternally grateful for.
I am grateful that my son, who lives out of state, came to visit.
I am grateful that my children are all living full lives as independent self sufficient adults.
I am grateful that my own dad, at almost 85, and my mother in law, also 85, are both happy and healthy.
I am grateful that I have lived long enough to be celebrating my 62nd birthday in the new year!
I am grateful that my life was blessed for over 20 years knowing my father in law, Bill, who passed away at the age of 88 two years ago. I am grateful that although I lost my mother 20 years ago, I had 40 years with her love and devotion.
It is easy to become encumbered with sadness, guilt and stress. It is easy to overthink and wish things were different. The work is to see the beauty in life as it is, in this moment.
I am grateful that I am doing that work. I am grateful that so many of you are doing the work. You are my people and I am grateful. I love you!
May you have a beautiful, peaceful solstice.
Breathe deeply and smile.
With Love and Joy,
Sheila
May the long-time sun
Shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light
Within you
Guide your way on
Snatam Kaur