Written by Mary McBride Majkut. Photography by Nancy Rokos.
Turn off the news
Turn off your worries
Put aside your chore list
Just for awhile
For it is the time of year
That we take inventory
Of our true purpose
That which is greater than us
Contemplate
Yet nurture self
With compassionate love;
We all know that this life can be difficult at times
Read a book
Take a quiet walk
Say a prayer
Have a proper cup of tea and a scone
At winter solstice the sun stands still (sol sistere)
With earth at a 23.5 degree axial tilt
I am not smart;
I looked it up
Nevertheless, be like the sun.
Be still
It is true that this is the darkest time of year
Yet without this time of stillness
Without this time of quiet presence
We could not fully appreciate the upcoming light
Once rested and with soul nurtured
Once done reflecting on shedding
What no longer serves us
We are prepared to anticipate
New beginnings
New possibilities
New hopes and dreams
New sense of self
Turn off your news
Turn off your worries
Put your chore list aside
Just for awhile
For it is during this time of solstice
That we begin anew
With hopeful vision as in youth
We go within, and we find our light
