Relax, Restore, and Renew during this season

The Winter Solstice is a time when our body and spirit focus inward in a time of rest, relaxation, and self-exploration.  I'm sure many of you have been pulled in this direction lately and I encourage you to take the cue from your body and sleep more, spend more time in meditation, and examine your intentions for 2010. Many indigenous cultures believe the Winter Solstice and the winter months are a time to be quiet and self-reflect, which allows us to fully engage our new intentions and ideas during the spring.  This time of rest gives us the strength and focus we need to create our future, new ideas and projects that will need to be watered and grown into their full potential this spring.

I really enjoyed reading this section of Women's Quest newsletter and wanted to share it.  You can find out more about them at www.womensquest.com.

In ancient Greece, the Winter Solstice was called Lenaea, or the Festival of the Wild Women. Yee Haw! Whatever your beliefs, the winter solstice is a powerful time of the year, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Use this time to revisit your life and your heart to better understand what is important to you at your core. This is a powerful time of change and rebirth. Use it help you become a radiant light force throughout the winter.

Restore! December is a month when cheerfulness is pushed on us in commercial doses, but it isn't really the mood of the season. The "natural" mood of the month is introspection, self-doubt, questioning, and withdrawal. The elements are turning us inward for our resting season. Animals know this is the season to hibernate so take their cue and retreat inside for some self-analysis and de-stressing. Be gentle with yourself. This is the time of the year for restoration and rejuvenation. Take time out from pushing your body, striving for success, and mental noise. If you have not learned to meditate give yourself the gift of a lifetime and dedicate some in-time to your mental, physical and spiritual well-being.

Sleep! *Solstice derives from an ancient Latin word meaning "stop," or "to stand still." Make sure you take time for yourself during the Holy-Daze, especially on the solstice. Luxuriate in a warm bath by candlelight to honor your inner being and go to bed early for some extra ZZZ's. Being the shortest day, nature intends for us to get some extra sleep. Here is the key to staying healthy:
Stop
Calm
Rest
Restore