“Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.”
~Lao Tzu
December 2017 is the true culmination of a year of change. This year is a “1” in numerology that marks the beginning of a new numerical cycle – a beginning, a time of change, of growth, and a relief that things are moving forward. We have been forced to take action, to step up, to make our voices heard; because the old way just won’t work anymore. A new way is being established as we deconstruct the old and move forward. It is the beginning of a new chapter—a year of initiation for a whole new 9-year cycle that will be all about independence, initiation, achievement, and creative individuality.
As we enter the last few weeks of the year, we must ask ourselves, “Am I living a well-balanced life?” It becomes easy to get bogged down in details or too focused on one thing or another. Are you having a good time but not fulfilling your work obligations? Or are you working too much and not having any fun? Are you so rigid in your plans that if anything is off schedule your day is ruined? This month in particular we are pulled in so many different directions, we have end-of-year work duties, we have family obligations, there are parties and celebrations every week, planning & shopping & baking to do, and the list goes on and on.
“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.”
~Jana Kindford
Yoga defines this balance as being a balance of the Purusharthas, or four aims of life. The very concept asks that you take the broadest, most objective view of your life – it is more closely defined as The Souls Purpose. As we seek achievement we must work daily to strike a balance between the four: Dharma, your duty or ethics (your purpose); Artha your prosperity or wealth (your stuff); Kama, pleasure or satisfaction; (your sense of delight) and Moksha, the pursuit of liberation or freedom (complete liberation). *As they say, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy (The Shining was in fact a holiday movie - lol).
The balance between them will constantly shift. Some days we work hard to put our kids through school (dharma), but we balance by blissing out in a yoga class (moksha). Or maybe we go out and have a smashing good time (kama), and follow it up by meditating or working extra hours (artha). These are all part of being human, a part of every stage in our lives, and sometimes it is all about just simply accepting where we are. And being kind to our Selves and not beating ourselves up if we sway too much one way or another. The balance demands reflection; reflection on the past year, of change, of growth. And it demands kindness.
“I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.”
~Lady Gaga
The Uttarayana, the Winter Solstice or northern run of the sun, on December 21st marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This is a period of fulfillment and enlightenment as the sun moves north known as Gnana Pada. It is associated with the upper three Chakras taking you farther away from earth and allowing you to be open to another force – to grace. The upper Chakras are about truth, insight, and divine grace or bliss. It is a time of fulfilling everything you have been striving for all year long. But above all it is a time of patience as we wait in the darkness of winter, when we are required to remain kind. Not just to others but to your Self as you slow down, just be with loved ones, and listen rather than speak.
“One kind word can warm three winter months.”
~Japanese proverb