Isn't it wonderful that the start of a new year always feels so full of promise, so brimming with opportunities to be better and to do better, to eat and drink more mindfully, be kinder to loved ones, to be less selfish and/or self-focused? A new energy seems to be available at this time when we're still journeying through the thirteen holy days and night of the Christmas season.
Having prepared my home and heart to welcome guests and loves ones from near and far, something begins to mature and take on form, bringing me a glimpse or two into the heavens, some insights and intuitions that will help me slide into the months ahead with new impetus and purpose.
And somehow I find the deep midwinter helps the process.
So I wish you all much good will for 2008.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Saturday, December 22, 2007
oh Christmas tree
This morning my dear husband brought our tree in from the garage to defrost. Decorating will happen on Christmas Eve, but meanwhile it stands ready and waiting. I came downstairs to the wonderful fragrance of balsam and felt filled, actually, with awe.
Living in the north of North America has given me a new appreciation of conifers. In South Africa, pine trees are not indigenous -- with the possible exception of umbrella pines. Pine trees are grown commercially and what we bought as Christmas trees were branches cut off from the tree. Pretty straggly they were, too.
But here I live with the spectrum of firs and pines and admire their beauty all year round, the branches stretched outward, or heavenward, or dipping in reverence to the earth. Bringing the tree in is a much larger event than it was in southern climes. I know the shape has been trimmed, the tree manipulated to be pleasing and to meet our expectations. Nevertheless, our Christmas tree, even without ornament, is surely a thing of beauty and will bring us much joy over the coming holy days and nights.
Living in the north of North America has given me a new appreciation of conifers. In South Africa, pine trees are not indigenous -- with the possible exception of umbrella pines. Pine trees are grown commercially and what we bought as Christmas trees were branches cut off from the tree. Pretty straggly they were, too.
But here I live with the spectrum of firs and pines and admire their beauty all year round, the branches stretched outward, or heavenward, or dipping in reverence to the earth. Bringing the tree in is a much larger event than it was in southern climes. I know the shape has been trimmed, the tree manipulated to be pleasing and to meet our expectations. Nevertheless, our Christmas tree, even without ornament, is surely a thing of beauty and will bring us much joy over the coming holy days and nights.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Snow, snow snow
Well, isn't that interesting? This is supposed to be the busiest shopping weekend in the run up to Christmas and here we are in the middle of a severe winter storm. So hibernating at home is more likely to be on the agenda than hitting the stores.
I think it's been good, having all this snow in December. How beautiful it is to see the silvery hoar frost, as I did last Tuesday. Yes, I know and remember particularly from the days when I lived in London, England, snow on city streets can be slushy and dirty and generally a nuisance. But even in the city the sight of trees embellished with white and the soft blanket covering the grassy parts of parks and so on can be quite lovely.
Snow has a softening effect, rounding off square and sharp edges and corners... and then there's the quiet. It's like the perfect antidote to the endless stream of Christmas music. These are the reasons why to me the snow this December has been a blessing. It has brought a certain peace to my heart and much beauty on which to rest my eyes.
I think it's been good, having all this snow in December. How beautiful it is to see the silvery hoar frost, as I did last Tuesday. Yes, I know and remember particularly from the days when I lived in London, England, snow on city streets can be slushy and dirty and generally a nuisance. But even in the city the sight of trees embellished with white and the soft blanket covering the grassy parts of parks and so on can be quite lovely.
Snow has a softening effect, rounding off square and sharp edges and corners... and then there's the quiet. It's like the perfect antidote to the endless stream of Christmas music. These are the reasons why to me the snow this December has been a blessing. It has brought a certain peace to my heart and much beauty on which to rest my eyes.
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