“Live in each season, as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign your self to the influence of the earth.” — Henry David Thoreau

As a teacher of some 30 + years, I’ve always enjoyed the luxury of the “Christmas break!” The last week of December between Christmas and New Year’s was free to unwind, relax, read, and just breathe. Thoreau’s injunction above embodies a cherished belief of mine: to live IN and live OUT each season as it comes! (Thank you, Henry!!) Officially there are only 2 weeks of the winter season in the month of December, but these weeks are jam-packed with activity and emotion. So much has been given to a whirlwind list of things that could easily fill a couple months, let alone a few weeks: gift choosing, wrapping, decorating, cooking, anticipating, cleaning, taking in services, concerts, celebrations, setting tables, visiting, special conversations—-it takes your breath away!

But it has given birth over the years to 2 soul practices that mark the crossing of the threshold for me from December to January: from early onset winter to thick-set winter. Sometime in the week between Christmas and New Year’s, I mull over and intentionally write down the blessings, events and graces of the year coming to an end, and then my goals and dreams for the year about to begin. This sacred list is recorded in my datebook and sets the tone. Three to four times during the year, I go back to it, re-spilling gratitude for what was and checking in on what’s happened to my chosen goals. This practice grounds and inspires me like no other. I recommend it heartily!!

January beckons to us like a vast landscape just blanketed with fresh snow: LOOK! No footsteps yet! Let yours be the first! Start out refreshed and re-inspired to walk into the gift of a brand new year, and bring all your gifts to it!! “This year I shall………” These are powerful and visceral words! Choose them wisely knowing less is more and more apt to be realized. This year i wrote goals in 4 categories: SOUL—MINISTRY—HOUSE—TRAVEL. And so I muse, (SOUL)“how do I want to grow, and what specifically will grow me?” (MINISTRY)“How can I better serve?” (HOUSE)“What needs uncluttering and repairing?” (TRAVEL)“Where could we go to experience something new?” This month of January, leading to mid-winter, is a perfect time to take inventory and create for oneself a roadmap into the unknown year that lies ahead!

Did you know there are words and phrases especially designed for the month of January? Here are some of my January words with an invitation to add your own:

shiver—snow sky—bleak--black& white--resolve--re-solve—threshold—open door—below zero—new direction—hat & mittens—hunker down—fireside—bake bread—clean a closet—or 2—or 3—and my favorite——seed catalog!!

Finally, I share what a group of close friends and I will be doing on January 6th: 12th Night and as per the Irish tradition, Nollaig na mBan. At this gathering of soul-sisters, we will be telling each other our chosen “word of the year.” This is yet another grounding soul practice that gives shape and direction as you step into a new year. My word this year will be: SURPRISE. I will be on a daily lookout for little and big ways life will take me by surprise! I plan on showing up and paying attention so I don’t miss too many. I looked up the definition and saw it as an affirmation of something I need to be more aware of in 2023. Surprise: “a feeling of astonishment caused by something unexpected.”

May your heart be astonished this coming year, and may you experience many unexpected blessings from the Holy One of Winter! Happy January!