As winter gets into full swing this month we are beckoned to new landscapes, which for many of us may be piled with snow. We may look outside our windows or step out on our porch breathing in the fresh air while at the same time recognizing our time spent outdoors has been limited by the weather.
Our level of activity may be slightly less and this is a perfect opportunity to turn ourselves on to what we may have in the hustle and bustle of our lives not left much time for: contemplation.
Focusing inward for the winter is a wonderful way to take a healthy and vibrant approach to the season. It is equally important to our health to keep our body and mind in alignment. Winter can bring fatigue and thoughts and feelings of drudgery particularly if we are experiencing illness or physical challenges due to the seasonal temperatures.
Our minds idle during the season are left open can gravitate to thoughts of worry and distress as we become impatient with the stillness of our environments. These thoughts can be loosened free by engaging ourselves in a dialogue about how to think creatively about our lives. To take the stillness and use it to look into ourselves and ask where and how we can become more engaged in our lives.
We can begin by sitting down in a comfortable space and asking ourselves some basic questions:
What am I good at?
This question ask us to look within and seek out those traits that make us unique to who we are. It asks us to look at methods by which we conduct our daily life and see what comes easily to us. Perhaps there are things that you do that you consistently receive complements on. Or maybe in reviewing your job there are aspects of your work that are effortless. These traits could be what make you feel comfortable and at ease and perhaps are related to aspects of yourself that warrant further exploration. Being creative doesn’t necessarily have to be defined as using art, writing or inventing something. Sometimes it just can be about looking more into who you are and bringing out those aspects of yourself you like into your life.
What do I enjoy doing for me?
This question asks us to look at what parts of your everyday life involve doing things for yourself. It means taking a moment and putting aside the choirs and the obligations and seeing what acts of doing are enjoyable. Are there parts of your day that are intentionally left for you and you only. Do these things that you do give you a sense of satisfaction?
Doing what is enjoyable can lend to finding ways to become creative about how to take care of the choirs and obligations. It can give you insight into how to take your day and divide it up so that you leave room for an enjoyable activity to look forward to and relish in for yourself.
What makes me feel alive?
This question asks us to look at what parts of our life encourage us to reveal ourselves and derive in conclusion a state of gratitude about being alive. What we do that brings about joy and happiness that in the process reminds us of our sense of purpose in this world. Are there aspects of our life that we can look at and confirm to ourselves are done with the pure sense of feeling good?
When we look forward to the next day with anticipation of it being a gift and one that we are grateful to receive we are addressing the intention of our being in this world with full admiration for our lives.
Asking yourself these questions may be just the spark to cast your ship left at dock for the winter season to sail. It may bring about a new found respect for the season and encourage pathways to living life in fullness. We all have a chance of becoming more of who we want to be in this world to ourselves and one another when we take the opportunity to think, act, and be creative about our lives.
So take the seasons gift of contemplation as we begin the New Year and use it to your advantage. You just might find yourself healthier than you’d ever been before.
In health,
Safara
