A walk of reflection.
Yesterday, I took the final guided walk of the year with a group of regular walkers who humorously call themselves the 'irregulars' 😆 Honestly, what does regular even mean? I am incredibly grateful to each of them for their ongoing support and their warm, open-hearted reception of newcomers. I warmly welcome everyone, and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people who do the same.
Now, I have a morning to myself to simply 'be' with the most irregular friend of all... NATURE! She flows, adapts, and surprises you with every change of season, every falling leaf, every animal's step, and every lunar phase.
On this full moon morning, I walk steadily through the winter woodland carpet, seeing it in a way I haven't been able to in recent weeks accompanied by the echoing call of a muntjac and a cackle from a jay. The woodland has supported me in my work, acting as my human resource department, but today, I welcome her back as my guide, who takes me by the hand and heart and walks with me.
My Christmas chaos is over. Wreaths are made and sold. Christmas shopping is done and wrapped, and now I have a week to slow down, align with the pace of winter, embrace the darkness, and look into the shadows to reflect on what I strive for next year and what needs to be left behind in the darkness.
My anticipation isn't for Christmas day over indulgence or a snap of a Christmas cracker, but to embrace the darkness and celebrate the returning of the light on the winter solstice.
During my full moon walk, the anticipation is heightened by reflecting on the past year, resembling the opening of a book with large text. In this solitary moment... or perhaps not? Among the trees, I never feel alone. The path forward in life, with its momentum and progression, appears clear and authentic as the wheel is set to turn again in nature, in the seasons, and in life. I embrace the winter solstice emotionally, physically, and spiritually, just like the trees around me in this moment of reflection and recognition, realising that I am part of nature, and nature is part of me.
Comments