Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Earth's Tilt and Mine

Friday morning at 4:12 a.m. Mountain Time the earth will be tilting as far from the sun as it ever does here in the north hemisphere. So we get the shortest amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness and then we slowly start edging back to longer and eventually warmer weather. Of course for summer lovers the solstice could be celebrated in the southern hemisphere where they're getting the longest day.

The earth tilts and our seasons change dramatically as we get farther north or south of the equator. Is there a spiritual or social similarity. If I stay close to my values, traditions and supportive relationships will I fare better than being north or south of such nurturing? Or is change a reality to accept and embrace.

I like to think my friends and family will always standby my side. Some have. I've rarely been let down even though I have let down others. But life has bumps in the road and winter solstices. I hope I can remember to keep that in perspective. I hope I can remember that when I've heard just one too many continuous playing of Carpenter's Christmas music, that I will wisely retreat to a more private space to listen to Debussy or jazz. Or to simply sit at a keyboard and know that these thoughts can be shared at the push of a button.

Do you have winter solstice thoughts? How do you make the most of the promises of the holidays and minimize the darkness. It's one of the reasons I hang Christmas lights. I like making the world just a little be brighter. What do you? What works for you? And what do you try to avoid?

5 comments:

  1. As much as I'd like to live in a tropical climate with warmth all the time, there is something to the change of seasons that I love. The spiritual equivalent may be that we are not always "basking in the light" but have ebbs and flows where we learn and grown from the variety that comes with life's experiences.

    I don't know... maybe I'd love Tahiti year round. I think I could get used to it.

    As for the darkness, I love Christmas trees... lots of them. We have six! And I love candles and real log fires in the fireplace. With only the lights on the trees, the glow of the candles and the warmth of the fire and no other lights, it is simply magical!

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    1. Thanks for the reminder of the essential role of darkness and contrast in our lives. Martin Luther King Jr. said only darkness can you see the stars. Also true of appreciating Christmas lights and candles. And our own darkness and light.

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    2. only IN darkness, that is

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  2. Great post!

    I love the winter solstice for the fact that we now begin receiving more light. :)

    As Mormons, we know by revelation that Christ's birth is in April. For the world who believes it is in December, it makes this thought quite profound: with the world, in its darkest moment, literally, the birth of the Savior happens, and we receive His light, to save us and help us face and have victory over the darkness, be it literal or spiritual.

    Like you and Beck have said, I, too, LOVE the lights of Christmas. And, the cheerful and bright decorations that come out at this time of year. One thing that helps me with the dark days of this time of year is this: I have a much beloved niece who was born this time of year. She has brought SO much joy, love, laughter, creativity, and sublime happiness that all I have to do is think on her and I receive more light, too. :)

    Merry Christmas and love to you. Happy day! Duck

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  3. Thanks, Duck. Love and Merry Christmas to you, too. You're wise to focus on a positive like the birthday of a special person. I have several of those in January so I can imagine their moms being in the end stages of pregnancy in December and their dads wondering what was ahead then finding such joy just a few weeks later. Thanks for the fresh perspective.

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