The Season of Preparation, Anticipation and Hope

 As you’ve heard me say before, living on a farm gives you a feeling of connectedness to each season, to animals, to nature that you simply cannot have living in “a plan” (no offense to all you plan dwellers out there – if it makes you feel better, let me add that I envy your closet space and Jacuzzi bathtubs ;).

December 21, 2010 is the Winter Solstice, also known as Yule. This is the shortest day and longest night of the year – when the sun is closer to the horizon and giving out the least amount of daylight. For six days around the Winter Solstice, the sun appears to stand still on the horizon (Solstice is from the Latin meaning “stand still”). As the saying goes – the darkest hours are before the dawn. So too the darkest and shortest days are before the Winter Solstice after which the days will get longer until the Summer Solstice in June.

I have always found a kind of quiet beauty in this time. The darkness forces you to be more peaceful, more at rest. It forces us to slow down (even me ;) and invites contemplation of the year that is about to pass. I love the rituals of Advent during this time. We decorate for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving (the first Sunday of Advent). Advent is a time of anticipation, preparation and hope.

Unfortunately for many the darkness this time of year can cause depression. Modern science actually points to a mental disorder that is now officially recognized as SAD, or seasonal affective disorder that results in moodiness or depression during the winter months due to the lack of sunlight. As national organizations like “The Trevor Project” raise awareness of teen depression and suicide, I’m reminded that suicide rates in general tend to be higher this time of year. You always think that suicide will never affect you or someone you love…until it does. Years ago my husband lost his best friend, a uniquely talented and loving man, to suicide. It is something that is with us every day as he was to be our oldest son’s God Father. I also had a friend who confided in me about the depression and dysfunction of their spouse – including threats of suicide. I sincerely hope this person has received the help that they need. If someone you love is having thoughts of suicide, I urge you to take it very seriously, take action and get them the professional help they need (don’t take it upon yourself). Even what may seem like a casual remark could be a cry for help - Act.

As we move through these “dark days” try to recognize the beauty of them, the opportunity that they represent to slow down, to prepare and to nurture your inner fire. In Yoga there is a concept called Tapas. In the Sanskrit Tapas means “heat”. In Yoga it literally means to heat the body and, by doing so, to purify it – a cleansing fire that burns away all the inner junk. The practice of Tapas can also include simply bringing an intense focus to ourselves – paying attention to what we eat, to body posture, to breathing patterns, to what you are taking in and what you are putting out…being mindful.

Last night was the first snowfall at the farm which is now covered in a lovely layer of white. It is…at rest. As I move through this time I will let the peacefulness of the farm and the observance of Advent take hold in me. I will prepare with a quiet joy and an inner fire.