Today, Winter Solstice, is the shortest day, the end of the solar year. It is a time of reflection and setting our intention. 

This evening we had our very first Winter Solstice Celebration as a group. We shared poetry, inspirational quotes, personal stories and insights over hot herb tea. In the spirit of seasonal traditions, I brought some Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils to share and also some Sandalwood for good measure. Te House of Tea was a lovely place for our gathering. 

I want to thank everyone who came for sharing the grace of your presence. Deepest blessings for the coming year.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantih,
  S.

I've been wondering lately how it is that we no longer seem to have enough time. Any of us. Ask anyone why they were unable to do the thing they most wanted or needed to do and you'll likely hear that they simply did not have enough time. We are all so busy doing things that are very important, if not enjoyable, I'm told. 

Lack of time, I hear, is the main reason many people do not maintain a regular meditation practice. No time to spare. At all. Not even 5 minutes.

Now here is the really fascinating part. You can ask anyone - absolutely anyone - what their favorite television program or movie is and they can tell you all about it. Hours and hours watching that cooking show or the quasi-news program where the commentators shout at the people being interviewed. In the same way, you can ask anyone what their favorite app is on their smartphone, laptop or tablet and they can tell you because they've used it so frequently. It takes time to text our friends about the reality show where the man dates a dozen or so women until he finds "The One." And yet we have no time to sit and be still. Not even 5 minutes.

Here's a thought: What if we all had a self-induced limit on how much time we allotted to our electronic devices? Do you think we might free up some time for ourselves? What if, for example, our computers, phones and T.V.s had a curfew? Off by 7:00p., let's say. What would happen then?

Do we not have enough time for ourselves or are we filling every spare minute by staring @ a screen that tells us what to buy, where to go and how to think?
Technology can be very useful, but I'm wondering if maybe we are becoming addicted. Is it possible that it is easier to zone out and stop thinking than it is to really get to know ourselves? To be quiet. Not visually stimulated for even 5 minutes.

5 minutes. How crazy have we become that we truly believe that we do not have 5 minutes for ourselves? 

The body needs food. The body needs sleep. The spirit, likewise, needs to be fed. The spirit needs rest. 

Make a date with yourself @ the same time everyday to feed your soul. Read something uplifting. Look @ the sky. Spend some time stretching and healing the body. Sit and meditate. You may be pleasantly surprised by how much better you feel. You deserve it. We all deserve to feel better. Calmer. Happier.

Shanti,
  S.