seasonal aspirations
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
We all loved discussing the ways in which we relish the winter season so much that I wanted to share at large the brilliant ideas and poignant thoughts you expressed to me. The most popular sentiment is releasing expectations and simply existing in this winterscape.
Let’s play a bit of Never Have I Ever. Did you play that scandalous game in your youth? Maybe I shouldn’t suggest such things to my impressionable students, grimace well, here I goes an-y-way (full body wagging in anticipation). Confession: Never have I ever made new year’s resolutions. Did you clutch your pearls and gasp?!
Why throw off the old adage to create new year’s resolutions and revel in this in between? You, my dear friends, defined this so eloquently—the opportunity to rest and recover, to conserve energy and know/trust growth is happening on a microcellular level due to our introspection, to be still rather than active—to simply BE. Because it’s WINTER and that’s the reminder and kindness that this season brings us. Admirably, you enjoy this season for what it is. The simple, peaceful joys it offers. Creating resolutions feels like a preparation for, or a call to, action. Which feels like a chore for Spring.
Honestly, my mind and body agrees with you 100%. Emphatically. Maybe I was too busy recovering from Nutcracker or maybe I just never really cared to think about goals on Jan. 1st or maybe it’s a habit I never set into motion despite the societal pressures to do so. shrug What has naturally occurred for me though, is an unfolding. As the year progresses a word reveals itself to me that generally signifies my internal growth. Rather than me forcing or setting an intention for a word. There are years I really cling to these as mantras, such as getting into and beginning grad school in 2017 = tenacity or recovering from teaching during the pandemic 2022 = traction, and there are years where no words release themselves into my psyche.
Neither is wrong, neither is right. Both ways are simply different ways of being. Do you feel pressured one way or another? What feels right for your soul? As the quote outlined at the top of this page claims, we possess the ability to approach life calmly and consciously. Here’s our chance! To be ourselves. To be quiet and listen to our souls whisper their needs, hopes, grandest desires.
What ways are you paying attention to what your body and mind want this season? How are you ensuring to nourish those feelings and desires? How are you being honest with yourself?