Winter Solstice – Setting New Intentions
image shot at Aro Ha
December 21, 2020 is the winter solstice. The winter solstice literally translates to “sun stands still,” as it is the shortest day and the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. It marks the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. We may find ourselves adapting to the changes of the cooler weather and less amount of sunlight. This additional time we spend indoors and in the comforts of our home is an opportunity to turn inward and become introspective about the lessons we learned and our intentions moving forward.
2020 has been a heck of a year! We as humans have had to change so many things about our life to adapt to the “new normal.” As such, there are certainly many things to reflect on. One of the biggest take-aways I have learned from 2020 has been we as individuals have the ability to control how we react to the world around us. We have this inner power within us to consider what is worth engaging in, holding onto or spending time thinking about and what is worth letting go. There were days I felt in control and days where I became absorbed in the fear of the unknown. An increase in my frequency and reading the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali helped me remember that if all our energy goes into fear or is dependent on external factors, we will not truly be happy or content in life. When we find happiness and love within ourselves, we can truly be free. Practicing yoga and mindfulness was a practice of self-love.
Another lesson of 2020 is how strong our communities are. Friends and family took care of each other. Our local businesses and yoga studios quickly adapted to continue serving their communities when they needed support the most. In turn, we supported those businesses. Cities and counties came together quickly to set up testing centers, offer meal drop-offs to those who lost their jobs and help each other through the struggles of the pandemic. Additionally, the national/international Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement this year was powerful. People of all backgrounds and races joined together (safely) to show their support for changes in the response of the police to people of color (POC). Change was observed in Milwaukee and other cities in the US. Even folks in other countries showed their support by forming their own BLM protests! It’s amazing the power we have to come together to lift each other up in times of chaos.
Take a moment, take a deep breath, and think: What are some lessons you learned about yourself in 2020? What are some lessons you learned about your family, friends and community in 2020? What values were most important to you in 2020? How did yoga help you in 2020?
Another component of the solstice is using lessons learned in 2020 to set intentions for 2021. Although we may still be quarantined at home in the beginning of 2021, we can still hold ourselves accountable for growth and transformation in 2021. One of my intentions is to connect more with my local community by volunteering more as a citizen and even as a yoga teacher. Another intention is to continue stepping into and living by my truth. 2020 definitely taught me how to set boundaries with others and with things that deplete my energy and health (such as social media and alcohol). With intentions set and willpower, the same boundaries can remain and grow in 2021.
Take a moment, take a deep breath, and think: What are some intentions you would like to set in 2021? How can the lessons you learned about yourself be used to become a better version of you in 2021? What negative habits can be left behind in 2020?