This is a lovely moment – the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere..
The darkest day of the darkest week of the year . . .
. . . a pause in the descent into darkness.
. . . a pause before light overtakes the dark.
. . . a pause before decrease changes to increase.
If you pay close attention, you can feel it – the moment of pause before the shift occurs.
This longest night beckons us to pause, too.
What does any great athlete do…
… before they dive into the water?
… before they throw the discus?
… before they grab the rings?
They pause.
What are they thinking about?
Nothing — absolutely nothing.
This is what the solstice reminds us.
Just stop and be. Do nothing.
Go a little more slowly. Be a little gentler.
Soon the darkness will recede and light will begin to increase. It will be time to think about setting goals and moving forward into the new year. To take action.
But now, take a moment to pause before you plan.
This is the special moment of between – the moment that separates what was from what can be.
by Jesse Lyn Stoner