Some thoughts, on winter..er...brrr
It has gotten so cold, so fast and now there is murmurs of an ice rain tomorrow.
It also gets dark, really, really early now. It seemed to be suddenly this year.
Wisconsin, where I live, is exceedingly beautiful, I have been brought to tears at some sun sets over rolling hills, postcard beautiful BUT each winter I say "I can't do it another year".
I always mean in, way down in my bones I mean. What is strange though, while I believe it, I know I won't do it.
This morning as I worked in the studio, bottling oils I was doing a mental mediation. Allowing myself to feel the waterfall of barely warm sun that was pouring through the locked, big window. I focused on my breathing, feeling it fill my lungs --- feeling it leave.
It came to me, I love winter.
(GASP!)
No, I mentally protested, I hate winter and I want to be miserable about it because I am stuck in it.
Stuck driving down ice slicked hills, around hair pin turns, mumbling curses about driving down said ice slicked hills. Finding comfort in the fact that at least I have heated seats so I don't completely go insane with misery. Me, dramatic? Really I am just missing out.
And please just humor me, tolerate me if you will. Let me just say although I live for a good quote about the balance and beauty of life, harmony, Rumi quotes..... I get tired of them for some reason. I will see them on my Twitter feed and sometimes I will feel a warm knowing joy inside, other times I think, gag me already, enough! Sooo... if you are in a gag me already mood, well, you might feel woozy.
I am going to embrace winters beauty. Its invitation for self comfort, retreating, silence and solitude.
The yin to the summers yang. The cleansing pause before spring.
This winter my goals are:
Read, a lot, about all sorts of things.
Start making sourdough bread from scratch (already ordered my starter).
Knit.
Paint.
Meditate everyday.
Learn to make my own pasta and eat lots of it in front of the fire.
Stop complaining about the cold.
If anyone one else has suggestions or insights please let me know.
I also have some books I already read that I would be happy to send to anyone who wants them :)
Warmly,
Kat
