The Rising and Setting Sun on the Winter Solstice in Alaska
In sharing our common experiences , perspectives and lessons learned we need not forget our common desire to seek and know the meaning in our lives. We all have a story to tell and a path to walk but we are neither our story nor the path. Stories change and paths diverge. We are just who we are at this moment with all our hopes and desire to know the truth of this life still with us and a sincere compassionate desire to share what we have learned along the way.
I am confident the "Great Mysteries" that throughout history, Priests held close to their chests and withheld from the average person for effect and religious compliance and control are the common things any intelligent child can know today about how our world works, just what are stars and planets and how our seasons come to be. An increase in knowledge over superstition and the myths used to explain it all should be a much welcomed relief. Of course it often is not and threatens our sense of self at times and can rekindle our fear of the unknowns to come.
All that to say that whatever our current perspectives and beliefs compared to where we have come from along the way to self and religious discovery , I want to wish you all a safe and meaningful holiday season with your family and close friends. To me, the Solstice, when the sun is at its weakest and lowest in the sky for the three days before Christmas where it moves a mere 1 degree north again towards Spring and the Equinox is fascinating and meaningful. Eventually light and heat overcome the darkness and cold of winter and the Sun crosses the Ecliptic and Celestial Equtor at Easter where short days and long nights are replaced with equal days and nights.
I am an observer of the craziness of doing and getting that seems to overwhelm the average person at this time, but not much of a participant. Many clients come to me during this time exhausted and weary of it all but say it is expected or it is for the kids. I encourage them not to let the quiet and reflective time we all need to keep our balance to escape them as it is so easy to do in the rush. The crass and materialistic rush is probably designed to keep one from thinking too deeply about more important realities.
Nature asks us to pause and consider our own being at this time of year especially with the hope that whatever darkness we have experienced or are experiencing will pass in time. Most get caught up in doing and not being and pay a high price it seems to me.
Thank you all for all your perspectives and comments throughout the past year. Especially thank you to the Blogmeister for allowing me to freely write on his site. It has been a great help to me personally in processing my own experiences and disappointments. It is not as important what we believe, as beliefs are just stops along the way to whatever truth may be ahead. It is important that we feel we can express them with understanding and compassion towards all for wherever we might be along the path.
Best to you all and thank you for sharing your insights and lessons learned along the way which have sprung from out common Church of God experience. Any pain we experience, whether physical, emotional or spiritual is merely weakness leaving the body and is the function of pain.
