Lessons of nature.
Tonight is the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere (so hopefully you have someone to snuggle up against to share it with!). Today officially starts winter. It sort of feels like we have been experiencing winter already. That means from this day on, the days get longer. One would think warmer times are ahead…right? But no – the coldest days are yet to come.
Similarly around June 21st when the summer begins, it feels like the solstice is nothing more than a formality- the summer has been around for a few weeks. But the truth is that it’s all only a perception. While we had some cold days and even one snow (in Connecticut anyway), the truth of it all is that it’s hasn’t overall been that cold. Today my car showed it was in the 60s just to make this point.
My 19-year old daughter’s birthday is in June. Most years when planning her party, I had this crazy misconception that it would be warm during the planning phase of her parties. While some years it was, much to my dismay most of the time it was rather cold and rainy; and almost always too cold at night to keep any shorts or short sleeves on that one may or may not have donned during the day.
The lesson here is that even though things may look like something is happening (days getting longer from here for example), there is a lag from the change and perception to when things really shake down, begin to happen, and take form.
The winter has only begun but the days are actually getting longer [yay]. The heat from the longer sun will not be apparent until spring- and it won’t be felt at it’s maximum potential until after the summer solstice in SIX months from now when the days will be technically getting shorter. What was a habit for longer will linger.
When we start new habits for a desired change such as losing weight, eating differently or beginning a new routine- the effects will not take place until a long time after.
Does that mean we should quit and give up??? NO, No & no.
Like the sun providing longer days as of today, the toughest part is truly yet to come before reaping the benefits. Nature shows us with this the seasonal changes.
This picture shows it well. The bigger arrow (perhaps depicting will for change) is fighting against all the old that is established. It’s a long hard road to get past that fight. The only way this larger arrow can lose against all those smaller little ones is to give up and join them the direction the will does not want to go.
Expecting to see a difference in the climate tomorrow or even next month is as unrealistic as eating well for a few days and expecting to fit into those old skinny jeans. One way to guarantee that you will never shimmy into those jeans is to defy natural laws- give up, order a pizza and enjoy a six pack just a week after starting. It just doesn’t work that way.
Change takes time. A lot of time. While the earth is tilting back toward the sun tomorrow, it will actually be colder and tougher for a while weather wise before the benefits of that tilt take effect.
So enjoy the process… believe and trust in it. It’s really the ONLY way. Results are never immediate. Don’t give up. Keep your own light shining. And do what you need to do over and over to get the results you want. It’s the only way to reach your goals.
One day I will follow this advice too! Lol 😊
Happy 2018 Winter Solstice!
Namaste
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