I have come to expect little to celebrate when I read the news of current events. Reports of war, division, and strife cover the pages. Often, I skim them just to gather the facts before settling in to do the crossword puzzle.
But recently, I read words that inspired me to linger and reflect. One was an editorial highlighting the goodness of people in Buffalo. It is truly an asset of our area, something to celebrate! The second was a column about the time of year between the holidays and Martin Luther King Day. First we celebrate the light and then we take it out into the world in service of others.
When I read these articles, it occurred to me that the cure for post-holiday blues, winter blahs, or whatever you want to call it, is to do something good for someone else. A good deed will warm your heart and lighten your step; it will get you through the dark of winter.
As long as we can have light within, we don’t have to fret about the darkness outside of us, we can stay connected to the light. I want to thank the writers who shared their perspectives and brightened my day. There is goodness and beauty in the world!
Today marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is referred to as Ground Hog’s day or Candlemas. That means the start of spring is six weeks away, on the calendar that is. On February 2nd, we consult a ground hog to find out if he sees his shadow which predicts when the weather will feel like spring.
I consider Ground Hog’s Day a whimsical way to look for signs of light returning. Can you sense a shift in the natural world occurring as we move toward spring? I am sure the animals can. When the sun is shining, I have noticed the squirrels are more active. Since we walk just before dusk, I am aware of when the sun goes down in the evening. It has a direct impact on when we walk.
It’s reassuring to observe the sun stays out a little bit longer each day. This return of the light clearly impacts the growth cycles in nature. But what about the impact on humans? How do we connect with the return of the light?
Candlemas day is traditionally when the churches made candles for the year. It’s a celebration that marks both the return of the light in nature and the importance of rituals to celebrate the light within our souls. Either way, Ground Hog’s Day or Candlemas, there is something going on this time of year and it’s bigger than us.
The period when nature lies dormant is slowly coming to a close. Forces underground are waking up, forces that will prompt shoots to pop up out of the ground before long. I so love signs of spring in the form of snow drops and crocuses!
All winter long, I’ve watched squirrels digging in the dirt for bulbs, carrying them away to nibble on later.
Although I am amused watching the squirrel’s activity, I hope they leave enough bulbs for us to enjoy a splay of color in our yard. Anticipating what’s to come fills me with joy! I feel the energy and light of nature within myself.
It enlivens the divine spark in me; the spark that lives inside each and everyone one of us. I don’t look to current events for inspiration about ways to nurture the light within. Instead, I look to nature, the written word, and acts of service.
In the morning, I ask myself, what can I do today to brighten someone’s day?
I’ve noticed that brightening someone else’s day brightens mine. It’s a cure for the winter blahs .
It’s sunshine for the soul.
