Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is growing very cold as we approach the winter solstice. For me, The colder season of holidays is the busiest time of year. From about Samhain/Halloween to Ostara in the spring, my life can be quite hectic with December being the busiest of them all. If your holidays are like mine it makes it difficult to stick with things such as healthy diets (among my family and friends it’s difficult with all the holiday treats offered), meditation times, personal spiritual practices such as moon rituals and personal time with the divine self.
This year, in particular, has been quite difficult for me to find peace and balance. With so many things happening around me with family members with needs, celebrations with friends and family and other obligations that require attention along with tragedies happening in my local community, I find it difficult to find time to nurture myself in all my aspects.
I have to admit, I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed as I have been pulled in every direction. For me, stress directly affects my physical health. As I find myself in the waiting room of the Urgent Care Facility, I realized I needed to take the time and get back to my meditations and quiet times. I was recently given a good herb book that contains some very nice recipes and techniques for making incense and oils. I am looking forward to gathering all my supplies so that I can try some of them in the spring. To help me with my winter holidays stress I picked up a nice pine scented candle to use during a relaxation time and to help inspire me for the holidays. Among my family and friends several different holidays are celebrated in the month of December so I have been busy making gifts and looking over my recent activities I realized I have taken on way too much for my own good.
If you have found yourself in this predicament just like me, I suggest we step back, put off anything and everything possible to enable us to take smaller bites from our proverbial holiday plates. Make a list of all that needs to be done, all you want to do and all that requires your immediate attention to allow for some organization and prioritizing. We have to remember to take at least 15 minutes at some time throughout the day to simply relax and give us a moment to collect our thoughts. Try to get plenty of sleep if at all possible. Maybe skip a party or two and keep alcoholic beverages to an extreme minimum.
Get back to the healthy foods and drink enough water. It is amazing how much our diets actually affect how we feel. So, This week I will be getting myself more focused on the important things and letting go of the things I can’t change or do anything about. I realized this week, I can’t save the world and worrying about everything doesn’t help anyone. I have learned I need to say no for the rest of the month to anything I haven’t already committed to. Most of all I am going to take the few moments I need to simply breathe, relax and allow my mind to be at ease. I will also be back to meditating. I know, meditation will be difficult now that I have lapsed in my practice but I realize that I need at least 15 to 30 minutes at least once a day to help me find some balance in this hectic Winter Holiday season.
How about you? What are some ways you can suggest for yourself and others to get through this busy season? What do you do to keep your sanity and your health intact and what steps do you take to ensure that you are spiritually nurturing the divine within?
Let us know in the comments below. I am sure many of us could use some suggestions.
Happy Holidays from all of us here at WitchDigest. As the seasons change with the solstice where ever you may be, may you find happiness and joy in all that you do.
Love and Light
