The darkness of Winter has descended.
For many the long stormy nights of Winter and the proverbial dark night of the soul are uncomfortable.
In addition to being dark, times like these can feel cold, lonely and boring. Whether the dark makes you feel sad, depressed, confused, uneasy or fearful, you may be quick to counteract your discomfort by searching for ways to create more light, companionship, and activity in your life.
Although bringing light to a dark time may alleviate your sense uneasiness, if too much light is brought on too quickly, a magical time of healing and connection is disrupted. In the long run, you'll see more progress if you learn to work with the darkness rather than deny its existence.
The Magic of Darkness
Being in the dark heightens our senses.
* We hear more acutely. As a result we are more likely to catch messages from our intuition.
* We perceive subtle connections more easily because our minds are not cluttered with extraneous details.
* We tap our creativity more deeply. Poems, paintings, and songs are often crafted by people who are wrestling with some aspect of their life.
When you are in the midst of an inner Winter, these are precisely the skills you need to turn your situation around.
Find Comfort in the Darkness
If you find yourself disliking the dark of Winter, create ways to enhance your sense of comfort during these times. Gather:
* A warm, cozy blanket and some big fluffy pillows to create a safe nest for yourself.
* A huggable stuffed animal--a big teddy bear that feels like it's hugging you back is a great choice.
* An array of candles to bring some sacred points of light to your setting.
* A favorite CD or tape with music that moves you.
* A notebook and pen for writing your thoughts as they come to you.
* An evening or day in your calendar that's devoted just to you.
The most productive thing you can do during Winter is nothing. That's right. Give yourself the gift of time to be in solitude with no expectations or pressures to "accomplish" anything significant. Give yourself complete permission to unplug for several hours or several days. Unwind. Take long luxurious naps. Daydream to your heart's content.
The Gift of Insight
You really never know how or when the insights will come, so follow your heart and do what feels best in the moment. Your answers may appear during your retreat or afterwards as you return to your daily life.
Don't push. The gift of insight is not something you can demand or force. Insights come when the time is right.
Your only job right now is to cultivate an environment and state of mind that encourages new, creative thoughts and ideas to come through. Be open and receptive to unexpected answers. Be observant and make note of any new thoughts that occur to you.
Honor the Darkness
With time, you will come to know when your body and soul need some quiet time. You'll begin to sense when something significant is brewing and gestating.
When you feel this feeling, act upon your premonition by creating time and space in your life for some time alone.
Gift yourself with an intentional retreat. Catch the sparks of insight as they appear. Don't rush to conclusions, but allow the outcome to unfold in time as you live your life.
May the darkness that surrounds you be full of sparkling insights this Winter season.
About The Author
Carol McClelland, Ph.D. uses nature's response to the change of seasons to show people how they can make transitions gracefully and effectively. Her book, The Seasons of Change, is available in English and Spanish. Her free Seasons of Change eNewsletter inspires, supports, and guides people in transition and is distributed eight times a year as the seasons change. To subscribe, visit http://www.seasonsofchange.com
650 322 8661
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Every passing minute.When I first heard this line, in the... Read More
Don't you just hate it when people make excuses for... Read More
When I was a freshman in college, my first car... Read More
This whole idea of change is founded on a single... Read More
"Nope, this just ain't good!" How many times in our... Read More
What can you do on days like these? Is there... Read More
I am a big proponent of balance. Everything has to... Read More
If your business isn't as successful as you envision, what's... Read More
Some people respond to being yelled at and even sworn... Read More
What important goal have you set for yourself? What is... Read More
You've probably heard the term "leading edge" used to refer... Read More
Throughout the many pages of scores of motivational books, with... Read More
Our physical brains quickly and easily handle mundane sequences of... Read More
"There's so many roads that seem, To lead down to... Read More
While most people spend most of their lives struggling to... Read More
Think about what you're doing each day and ask yourself... Read More
We typically think of New Year's as the time to... Read More
It was only about 18 months ago that I could... Read More
On the J-O-B. That's where I met him. Quentin Cole... Read More
As each day ends and another begins, the words of... Read More
I get some of my best ideas for my column... Read More
I look out my window at daybreak as the sunrise... Read More
Self Help is itself a broad category from which to... Read More
When I meet people and tell them what I do,... Read More
The definition of Motivation in Webster's Dictionary: Motive - the... Read More
IntroductionWordNet defines a rut as a groove or furrow (especially... Read More
I've heard it said that 85% of success is showing... Read More
Some people are content to just to be another face... Read More
Need to move ahead and yet find yourself holding back?Edward... Read More
As you prepare to take your first steps, could there... Read More
Many professionals spend their entire careers working under managers or... Read More
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-MOTIVATION FOR TRAINERS: Lack of self-motivation is... Read More
Q.: I've always been sort of cynical about all this... Read More
When it comes right down to it where ever you... Read More
Listen. If you donīt beat procrastination at work the long... Read More
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not... Read More
If you really want to become rich, then begin by... Read More
Have you achieved your dreams? Dreams are an important part... Read More
A King was trying to choose between three maidens to... Read More
For the first time in many years, Star Trek Fans... Read More
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men... Read More
"Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed... Read More
The secret to getting started on something when you don't... Read More
Imagine being able to choose any outcome and automatically feel... Read More
I think there is a misconception about what a mentor... Read More
So I wanted to buy a car. It was a... Read More
The basic trauma of being locked inside of a penal... Read More
We all suffer from procrastination from time to time but... Read More
Often times we procrastinate because it just seems like so... Read More
The fear of failure is more deadly than failure itself.... Read More
We are all guilty of delaying what needs to be... Read More
Deep within man dwells some vast slumbering powers and abilities... Read More
We're all aware of how important teamwork is and how... Read More
Taking action about our current station in life involves taking... Read More
I am not a golfer, unless you count an occasional... Read More
Recently, I was driving past a local nursery and saw... Read More
The legend of the phoenix can actually be found... Read More
Never underestimate the power of persistence!If you persist you really... Read More
If You Don't ask then You are Already Rejected. Many... Read More
One of the things I've noticed about successful people is... Read More
Throughout my life I have observed many things and I... Read More
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.... Read More
I have been giving some thought lately to optimism and... Read More
Expanding your comfort zone isn't quite the same as building... Read More
Now, the Fun Part. It is nigh time to find... Read More
Everyone wants success. People talk about setting goals and positive... Read More
Motivation |