Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
by Katherine May
“a crossing point between the mundane and the magical. Winter, it seems, is full of them.."
Summary
Wintering, a memoir written by British author Katherine May, compares the human life to the seasons of nature. “We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.” May makes reference to both the metaphorical and literal winter and invites the reader to heed the wisdom of nature and our ancestors to embrace the challenges of our own lives. She implores the reader to invite winter in. “We may never choose to winter but we can choose how.”
Excerpt
Rejuvenate. Restore. Reflect. Re-evaluate. Reconnect….
Historically across cultures we have our own rituals or traditions to deal with the physical demands of the season. Even in places like southern California where winter may look less distinct from other seasons, this time of year may be marked by shifts in professional, personal, and social demands.
Perhaps humans do not hibernate in the winter as other animals do, but we can integrate the spirit of hibernation into our own lives as a form of active rest- a time to reconnect with ourselves (mind and body) and with others. It can look like attending to our physical spaces, finding pleasure in the small things, or being present in the moment and the people we share it with. It can be comfortable and cozy or facing on what has been and what is in preparation for what’s next. It is practicing patience and compassion and witnessing its wonder.
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Art Invitation
Create an art about your own personal winter. What wisdom have you found in how you respond to challenges?
Looking for ways to re-imagine rest and retreat? Want support and guidance in revealing the lessons of this season of life using the creative process? Visit my page for more information about my services or contact me here to schedule a free consultation.
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