This post was originally published by mindbodybrew in December of last year. Today, as we begin to transition into the winter season, we invite readers to once again explore the notion of a winter self.
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As we enter the winter juncture period before the season begins, have you noticed any changes in your body? Whether your nature thrives during the winter season or not, what is happening to the condition of your hair, skin, and energy level?
Over the last few years, the process of watching how the nature of my mind and body shift and change with each season has fascinated me. By tapping into this awareness, I have felt more supported than ever during the changes. Instead of feeling like the weather happens to me, I have adjusted to noticing that the changes in my environment happen along with my own changes.
This year I offered the idea of walking in the boots of one of my favorite artists. It has greatly helped me navigate the altered light and landscape. An additional image that came up by chance in a recent class was that of transforming into our winter selves, like becoming a winter tree. Trees lose their leaves, shed the visual tones of vitality, and even become more fragile with the blasts of cold and wind. With less sunlight, our own hair, skin, and nails get weaker and we tend to spend more time indoors to keep out of the colder elements. Yet winter trees do not die. Like the silent winter forest under a deep blanket of snow, we can get quiet and reflective. After the season ahead, the winter trees will only come back bigger and stronger in the Spring. And so will we.
Our synchronicity with nature offers a special purpose and wisdom: such change around us can be trusted. In the winter, surrendering to this trust brings us space to observe and connect.
- TaraMarie Perri