January

I have an affinity with people born during these first of weeks of January. Winter babes that arrive in the sharp harsh lull after the festivities of December and bright start of a New Year. Entering during the season of long dark nights and brilliant icy days.


In January people are tired, broke and turn inward. Relieved. Gathering resources. Settling in to face the frozen months. Minimal celebration attends birthdays in early January and January babes are okay with that. They've got their own awareness of season. They are "chill"

Of course all that goes out the window if born in the Southern Hemisphere:)

Alan Watts, born January 6. One of my favourite philosophers. An early January babe! (Today was also Joan of Arc's birthday.)

Watts believed in the unity of all things.

"Individual people, nations, animals, insects, and plants do not exist in or by themselves. This is not to say only that things exist in relation to one another, but that what we call “things” are no more than glimpses of a unified process. Certainly, this process has distinct features which catch our attention, but we must remember that distinction is not separation. Sharp and clear as the crest of the wave may be, it necessarily “goes with” the smooth and less featured curve of the trough. … 

Nothing exists independently from anything else.... this is an interesting video on life..and death...... ( the background music is a bit much but I like his concepts)
https://youtu.be/mMRrCYPxD0I

Shaking off the Winter Doldrums

January is always a bit of a shock to the system. Once the glow of the holidays wears off and the New Year's Resolutions have  faded, we are left with winter! Always a hard time of year for me. This year I am fighting back. I am extricating  myself from the grips of too much comfort food, too many drinks,  too much Netflix, not enough fresh air and lack of motivation. How you ask?  

I make myself tiny "to do lists"! Each night in my iPhone notes, I write a couple of healthy things to accomplish the next day that are beyond my usual winter slothishness and I set an intention to make sure I do them the next day and voila..... I am getting stuff done. Even something as simple as  "Do a plank", "drink four glasses of water";  they all add up to feeling accomplished and even though they are baby steps they add up.

I am also keeping a mini Daily review/gratitude list in my iPhone notes that I add to every night. I go through my day and choose the three best things. Sometimes it is as simple as that wonderful feeling of falling into bed at the end of the day or speaking to a friend or the way the light looked spilling through a window! You will be more mindful of your day doing this, and will find yourself looking for the good. xo