“I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of everyday that is given to me to live.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist
What an amazing and powerful month of holiday celebrations! This week, Monday, December 21st is the Winter Solstice, the first day of Winter, and we find many cultures celebrate this event in a variety of ways. In addition, Jupiter becomes conjunct with Saturn and can be seen from Earth for the first time in over 800 years! This planetary alignment is also known by some as the Bethlehem/Christmas Star. In Christian traditions the Bethlehem Star is also associated with leading the three wise men to Bethlehem. Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and Happy Hanukkah for those of you who celebrated!
With the Solstice new directions and goals, opportunities, growth, and possibilities are supported. It feels, to me, like entering a time of hibernation where I can reflect on my old habits, perceptions, and behaviors that I want to release and then envision, imagine and dream about new possibilities for the coming year. It’s not a time to push and force something to happen! Rather, it’s an invitation to enjoy everyday that we’re alive and give ourselves permission to dream big! It’s not about resolutions for the New Year, rather a new way to BE and live.
What a gift we’ve been given to live our lives intentionally and consciously. Now, with these supportive energies I feel like our inner canvas is clear. We are invited to use our inner artistry to create another masterpiece of our life intentionally. Jonathan Lockwood Huie, Author, has said that, “Our opportunity is to soar our Spirit. To see light and joy in everything. To spread our wings and fly boldly. To give thanks for rainbows and butterflies – our symbols of renewal and rebirth. To offer daily Thanksgiving – for ourselves, our family, our friends, our community, for the whole world.” How beautiful it is to let our imagination and connection with Spirit fly and dream without limitations during this special time rather than dwell on what’s not working around the world.
I realize that this year has been challenging for everyone. It’s required us to be more creative, resilient, fluid and flexible. Structure has fallen away and our lives are different because of it. Not good or bad – different. We’ve found new ways to live. I hear people talk about returning to ‘normal’ and I ask myself, “Do I want to return to what was?” My answer is no! I will carry forward what I loved from before and remain open to becoming more while exploring new ways to BE. Like many of you I miss the social connection with family and friends so I look forward to when I can see them in person again. I especially miss this connection during the holidays. If you live alone right now and feel down please reach out to friends or family members. It’s important to stay connected!
This year I’ve learned to surrender and lean more into accepting these changes instead of resisting them. I know that things will change again. A new world is ours to create and change begins within each one of us. While you and I dream and imagine what it will look like let’s be bold and daring and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives right now! The Buddha, Philosopher, spiritual teacher and religious leader, reminds us that, “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” Remember, each day you are like a blank canvas and can create whatever masterpiece you want to create!
I will be posting my January group Zoom channeling sessions with Luminus and the Messengers of Light soon. If you would like to connect with me or schedule a private session please go to victoriabarna.com.