Gift of Winter

Gift of Winter There is a quiet humility about the earth in the winter months, as animals and people retreat inside to do their deep work. In fall, the earth begins the process of releasing all the things she has been holding onto throughout spring and summer, and by midwinter she has let everything go. She sits clean and undecorated in her simplicity, free of the frenzy of life that defines her in the warmer seasons. There is a quiet humility about the earth in the winter months, as animals and people retreat inside to escape the wet and sometimes freezing cold that takes hold. Inside our homes we create abundance and warmth in response to being effectively kicked indoors by the dark and cold that permeate the outdoors. We burn fires in fireplaces and make heavy, hot foods to keep our bodies warm and insulated. We may find ourselves sleeping longer hours and yearning for downtime, just like the animals deep inside their caves and warrens taking a winter-long nap. Even if we live in a warmer climate, the longer nights and shorter days have the same effect on our cycles. If we surrender to this time as nature intended, we allow ourselves to slow down, sleep more, and lower the volumes on our busy minds. At the same time, we crave company in our dwellings, and the insulated warmth of the hearth tends to bring people together, creating more warmth and fostering connections that last through the coming year. We laugh, eat, and talk, sleep, or catch up on reading, while outside our windows the earth grows dark earlier and stays cold longer, accepting as always of the process of change and her place within it. We might remember to learn from her as she so gracefully surrenders to the emptiness that precedes all form, the peace that precedes activity, the darkness that precedes the light. For everything she gives and teaches, we might offer a blessing, extending a goodly portion of the gratitude of this season her way, holding her in our hearts and thanking her for our very lives. [PRINT]( [SAVE]( [DISCUSS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [Chair Yoga for Healing, Strength and Mobility]( by Sadie Nardini Chair yoga is an incredible workout solution for re-building body strength, toning muscles, and improving overall balance and stabilization, and it can be done by anyone able to get into a seated position. With this restorative 10-day course from yoga expert, Sadie Nardini, you'll be guided through a specific blend of short yoga and fitness exercises that gently target common areas of weakness, tension, and inflammation and open up your body in different yet complementary ways. In less than two weeks, you'll have all the tools you need to actively support your best physical health, with the ability to grow in strength, flexibility, and stamina for a lifetime. [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( 2. [Overcoming Negative Family Patterns]( 3. [Fit and Fierce Over 40]( 4. [The 2 Week Fascia Miracle]( 5. [A Year to Clear What is Holding You Back!]( 6. [Shedding Your Menopausal Middle in 10 Days]( 7. [Activate Your Fascia, Free Your Body]( 8. [Chair Yoga for Healing, Strength and Mobility]( 9. [Shakti Warrior Dance for Healing]( 10. [Speak with Purpose, Not Impulse]( New Courses • [Heal Your Soul by Letting Go of Emotional Addiction]( • [Maintaining Sleek and Sleeveless Arms]( • [A Year to Simplify Your Life]( • [4 Minutes for Back Pain]( > [More Courses]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home]( | [Inspiration]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( | [Gift Shop]() [Email Settings]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Help/FAQ]( © 2019 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]