Today heralds the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere. A time when our part of the earth is tilted furthest away from the energy and warmth of the sun. Over the last month we have noticed shorter days and earlier sunsets but after the solstice the days will gradually lengthen again.

Winter solstice has been observed for thousands of years, for as long as our ancestors have marked time using the heavens. With the gentle tilt of the earth, winter solstice is the time of year when the sun travels her shortest path across the sky. This annual phenomenon has been observed by many different cultures who have celebrated and marked this time with festival and ritual.

Although this day is short it gives an opportunity to reflect deeply on life. A time to honour and release the past year and plant seeds of intention for the months and year ahead. Personally, it could not have happened at a better time for me, as it foreshadows a time of transition in my life.

The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time – a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken.

Frederick Lenz

Today I took some time to attend an online women’s circle honouring the solstice. Women’s circles today are a modern adaption of the ancient tradition of tribal women gathering to support each other. The beauty of circle is the opportunity to nurture, share stories and inspire the creativity that exists within each of us. Often these elements are missing from our daily lives. We can become busy and disconnected from the support and nurturing from other women.

Circle often involves meaningful ritual to welcome those who gather and to honour their presence. Rituals also help each woman focus on the intention of gathering. As women’s circle is relatively new to me, I valued the guidance of a trained facilitator – Anita Houlihan, Brisbane Women’s Circles.

During our two hours together we …

Reflected on the past year and all the lessons learnt from life experience. This was done with a guided meditation followed by journal writing. We each lit three candles to represent illuminating the pathway of our journey as we traverse the winter months.

Released the things that no longer served us. Using a piece of paper and pen we were asked to write down all those things we wished to leave from the previous year. The pieces of paper were then placed in a bowl and burnt. I was surprised how powerful and moving this ritual was for releasing old patterns, thoughts, and behaviours.

Transformed with the planting of new intentions for the year ahead. It was time to open our journals and ponder the answers to the following questions. What seeds of renewal need to be planted and nurtured over the coming year? Who do we want to become? What steps do we need to take to nurture the growth of these new ideas, actions, and identities? Sharing our intentions with others was a powerful step in acknowledging change.

While these activities may be done on our own, the power of connecting with other like-minded women within circle amplified the experience. A beautiful connection of respectful conversation emerged. One of deeply listening to others and feeling respectfully heard.

Women in the later part of their lives are in the perfect position to rediscover themselves and find opportunities for growth and reinvention. For them, it is a time for sharing their wisdom. It is also a time for reflection and renewal. May this time of the winter solstice be one where you reflect on your journey, release what no longer serves you and begin to transform your life.

As the new decade dawned at the beginning of this year it was filled with promise. Turning over a new page of life and hope for the future. What has transpired has been decidedly different. It has been six months of real change and upheaval in the world.

While these events were unexpected, they highlighted our ability to adapt. One thing we can guarantee in life is that we live in a state of constant change. It is an inevitable part of our humanness that helps us build courage and resilience.

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change”

Albert Einstein

Each day marks an invitation to begin anew. To make sense of the world around us and our part in its existence. When we open our eyes, our senses are bombarded with life.  Our minds quickly switch on to the daily tasks, concerns and planning of the day. Its easy to get distracted by the latest news feed or the multiple calls on our attention, whether it be other people or the objects of our lives. It can feel like we have stepped into a flowing river and are carried along over the riverbed, rocks, and debris. We might catch a brief pause as we hit a stagnant patch and rest, but eventually the constant flow catches us once more.

Most people go through life adjusting to the uncertain dynamics that act on them. The signs of anxiety, depression and helplessness may be our inner voice recognizing dissatisfaction with our current situation. Outwardly it can be observed in the body as lethargy and inaction. Once we are in this mindset it is a difficult one to shift. Only through summoning the strength to act in a situation that no longer serves us can we begin the process of change.

What are some of the attitudes required to take this journey? :-

Being resourceful. Our ancestors have given us many of examples of how they were resourceful with changing circumstances. Many times, they overcame obstacles by bouncing back and finding new ways to navigate life. We hold the resilience of our ancestors within us and we can honour that by showing up as best we can. Imperfect action is better than no action at all.

Being compassionate.  Life will continue to give us both small and large changes of circumstances to deal with. We can be aware of our responses and give ourselves compassion when these changes are unwelcome. Part of who we are is living through the struggles presented to us in our lives. Practicing with the small changes helps build strategies for when the bigger challenges come along.

Being adaptable. Sometimes major shifts happen to us and we are forced to adapt quickly. In our everyday lives we can look at our ability to go with the flow as small changes happen. Living with acceptance rather than resistance to improve our life balance.

Being intuitive. Often, we have a sense when we need to change. Begin by asking for guidance. It might be through prayer, journaling or expressing our thoughts in conversation with others. Listen for an inner ‘gut’ reaction to how you feel about the planned change. Does it give you a sense of excitement or anticipation? Or perhaps it is one of mild panic or inertia.

Being conscious of the effect of decisions on others. Check the integrity of the change by speaking with those people who are either directly impacted or who you can trust. Are there concerns or negative reactions from them? If so, are they based on fear or a dependency on you? Can these concerns be addressed?

Being open to change. It is important to acknowledge that there is a risk in changing direction as this is an important crossroad. It is not possible to eliminate all risk and if we attempt to do so it can lead to paralysis of action. Move forward methodically and take the actions that support your choices along the way. Once you begin, let go of the outcome. See each step of the journey as embarking on a new adventure. You never know what surprising detours may happen along the way.

The hardest work comes in getting to the decision. Once you have an end goal in mind it is as if invisible tracks spread out before you. Opportunities arise with some ease and solutions become apparent.

Our granddaughter who is thirteen came home from school yesterday complaining about being unfairly treated by one of her teachers. After some further conversation it was evident that the teacher was using an exercise to favour some students over others. This was subtly highlighting the nature of powerlessness and prejudice in society. A topical teaching amid the current painful and confusing times surrounding the death of black American George Floyd.

George Floyd was the straw on a camel’s back that has carried the load of injustice and lies.

Caroline Myss – Author

To her it was unfair and unjust that the teacher had played sides. Her teenage analysis had not been able to look past the surface to the deeper lesson on inequality below. As she chatted with us, her mother and grandmother, we were able to share a larger context on the issue. How there are those in life who have privilege and those who struggle to find their place in this world. Although we may have been created equal, life doesn’t necessarily give each of us equal opportunity, resources, or voice.

Something I took away from that intergenerational conversation is that my years of experiencing life gave a richer perspective to our conversation. Yet as an elder adult I am feeling the energy of a total collective imbalance that has occurred in this instant. There are many questions and understandings that I am grappling with right now.

As I watch the news, tears well as I hear the family of George Floyd plea for peaceful protest amongst the violence and property destruction perpetrated by a minority. Here is a man who had a family, a daughter who will not have her father for the important guidance and occasions in her life. The human story thankfully is being told amongst the media saturation.

We also see police officers kneeling in solidarity with the protesters. They know they are as stereotyped as much as the black American’s who feel rage and anger at this act of inhumanity. The voice we are not hearing is that of the police officer who took George Floyd’s life. Where was his mindset in that instant that he could not listen to the pleas of those around him to stop in that moment? What seems small in proportion to the massive outcry in response was perhaps the moment of shocking reality we needed to witness as humanity.

How do we start to move forward from this pivotal moment in time? –

• We need to seek a larger perspective on what has occurred. To ask the questions, to search the history of inequality that plagues our cultural and gender divide. Why is it so important to have the upper hand in a power struggle? Where we see it in the world it has led to great divides and injustice between fellow human beings. This imbalance needs to be examined and addressed.
• Individually, we need reflection. Whether it is through prayer, meditation, or just pure appreciation of the world around us. We need to be more open to the feminine qualities within all of us. To focus on our own well being and nurturing that of others. To revert to the basic needs of love, home, and family. Ensuring these are accessible to all.
• The change will come from all generations working together. To create within our own realms of influence critical thinking around inequality. Examining what language, beliefs and actions allow this to continue in our communities and beyond.

More than ever we need to come together across our generations. We cannot afford to sit in relative comfort, security and affluence when right before our eyes injustice happens. This brief catalyst may provide the hope for transforming our world. We are truly in this together.