Welcome,
Dear listener.
As the holiday season is upon us,
Let's take a moment now to pause and relax together.
Whether you're listening from the quiet corner of your home or amidst the bustle of holiday preparations,
Know that this space is for you.
Let's start by acknowledging something important.
It's perfectly normal to feel stressed during the holidays.
The pressure to create perfect memories,
To find the right gifts,
And navigating family dynamics can be intense.
Add to that the crowded stores,
The busy schedules,
Possibly navigating loneliness in a season that celebrates togetherness and possibly feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks and social obligations,
Or even potential financial strain.
So it's no wonder that people can feel a bit overwhelmed during this time of the year.
Take a moment now to recognize that these feelings are shared by many.
You're not failing at the holidays,
You're human,
And experiencing a very human reaction to a challenging time of the year.
The holidays don't look or feel the same for everyone,
And that's okay.
So whatever you feel right now is perfectly valid.
Your experience,
Along with all its complexities,
Is real and worthy of acknowledgement.
And as we navigate this season,
Let's draw inspiration from the ancient tradition of Yule.
Celebrated at the winter solstice,
Yule marks the longest night of the year.
It's a time when darkness seems to reign,
Yet it also heralds the gradual return of light.
This cycle of nature offers a profound metaphor for our journeys.
Just as the earth experiences periods of darkness before the light returns,
We too may go through times of struggle or difficulty,
Especially during an often demanding holiday season.
But what if like those who tended the Yule log in ages past,
That we learn to nurture our own inner flame,
To acknowledge our struggles while also remaining open to the moments of warmth and hope,
To recognize that even in our darkest moments,
We carry within us the embers of resilience and renewal.
This season,
I invite you to be gentle with yourself,
To recognize that like the slowly burning Yule log,
You can also allow yourself to move through this time at your own pace,
Honoring your true feelings while tending to your inner flame,
Allowing it to grow steadily and naturally,
While remaining open to the glimmers of joy when they appear.
Traditionally,
The Yule log would be lit from a piece of the previous year's log,
Symbolizing the passing of light from one year to the next,
Even through the darkest times.
So let's do an exercise.
Imagine a log representing the previous year that you've experienced,
Which is made up of all the successes that took place.
And now,
Imagine lighting this log with a positive intention,
Perhaps to continue an unbroken chain of this success into the year ahead.
And now,
With this log representing the previous year,
Take up a new log representing the next year ahead,
And light it with the previous log and your new intention.
Therefore,
This log isn't just a source of warmth,
But also a beacon of hope and continuity.
Imagine the Yule log burning slowly,
Steadily,
Its flames dancing and its embers glowing,
Creating a space for warmth and light.
This enduring flame offers us a profound metaphor for our own journeys.
Just as the Yule log continues to burn through the longest night,
We too have an inner flame that persists even in the most challenging of times.
And this inner light always stays lit.
Now,
As we embrace this season with all its complexities,
Here are some ways to nurture your inner light.
1.
Honoring Your Feelings Give yourself permission to feel whatever arises without judgment,
As any emotions that you feel are all a part of the human experience.
Allow any undesirable feelings you may have to be burned up in your inner flame and transmuted into new energy that you can use for the new year ahead.
2.
Take Time to Create Moments of Stillness where you can be comfortable being at peace.
In the midst of the holiday bustle,
Carving out small pockets of quiet can really go a long way in helping you to be even more productive going forward.
Even a few minutes of solitude can really help you to reconnect with your inner flame and to stay productive and on task.
3.
Let Go of the Idea of the Perfect Holiday and instead,
Focus on creating moments of joy that feel authentic and meaningful to you,
As this will continue to add fuel to the fire of your personal yule log or your burning inner light.
4.
Consider Reaching Out or Connecting with Others if the option is available,
Or even volunteering.
Sometimes,
Sharing our light with others can make our light burn even brighter together.
5.
Practicing Gratitude for Small Things Notice and appreciate the little joys when they come up.
The warmth of a cup of tea,
The kindness of a stranger,
Or the beauty of winter scenery.
These subtleties are like small little kindling for your inner flame to keep your inner fire burning.
6.
Setting Gentle Boundaries It's okay to say no to events or traditions that may not serve your well-being or interest.
Prioritize activities that truly resonate with you and nourish your spirit.
7.
Create Your Own Rituals Whether it's a solitary walk,
Observing the shining holiday lights in your neighborhood at night,
Writing in a journal,
Or sharing stories with loved ones,
Personal rituals can provide comfort and meaning,
Becoming your own way of tending to your inner flame.
Remember,
Taking care of yourself isn't selfish.
It's how you keep your inner fire burning,
Allowing for you to share its warmth with others when you're ready.
As we conclude our time together,
I invite you to continue to keep carrying your Yule Logs light forward as a steady,
Enduring source of warmth and light burning brightly within your core.
This light is always burning within you,
Even through life's uncertainties and challenges.
It's always a source of strength,
Resilience,
And hope.
As you move through this holiday season,
I'd like to encourage you to continue to carry this image with you.
In moments of joy,
Allow your inner fire to burn brightly.
In times of struggle,
Even the smallest ember can reignite it into a warm,
Comforting blaze.
Remember,
Just as the light always returns after the longest night,
So too will you find moments of brightness,
Even in difficult times.
You are not alone on this journey.
May you find moments of peace,
Authentic connection,
And gentle joy in the days ahead.
Take care,
Dear listener,
And may your inner light guide you through this season and beyond.
