Today's Medicine: Potential

A new decade. A new year. A new day. Although the winter has frosted the world outside my window, the sun is shining brightly and hope lingers in the chill air. Why is it that January 1st always feels so hopeful? I guess it's because for many it symbolizes a clean slate, a new start and possibilities. As a culture, we've made this day a very powerful tool for change, even if it only lasts until the first celebration where chocolate butter cream frosting is involved. Then our hopes for a new life/self/body image is dashed by the reality that withholding and depriving isn't exactly the best use of change.

Years ago I worked with a woman who always followed her Greek heritage traditions during the New Year. The belief is that whatever you do on New Years day sets the tone for the rest of the year. She spent the days before January 1st cleaning house, tying up loose ends and making sure that New Years day could be spent in leisure, sleeping in and spending time with loved ones. After all, who wants to spend your year cleaning up other people's messes, not to mention your own?

As January 1st looms, I always consider this approach and I've modified it a bit to suit my desires. I did some cleaning this past week, mostly making sure that the house is somewhat tidy. I'm taking advantage of the collective energy of the day to bring moderation to the coming year: I had a leisurely lie-in with the kitties, but not too late. I'll be spending some time today doing spirit work, as well as hearth tending. A long bath is certainly on the menu. I also intend to clear out some clutter today, in the hopes that I will continue to learn the lesson of letting go in a gentle and more graceful way.

May the coming year and decade be as bright and shiny as the new day that dawned. May my life continue to be filled with as many blessings as I can handle, as well as enough puzzles to help me grow. May my heart continue to open and may my eyes see all the beauty that exists around me.

Today's Medicine: Love

This is Kazul, using Annabelle as his pillow. Why choose this picture to talk about love? The look on his fuzzy little face says it all. He's comfy, Annabelle is quite obviously asleep and comfy and the bliss is apparent from a mile away. They don't question the love they have for another, they just live it. What a fantastic concept. And of course they are cats, so their self-love cup is pretty full to begin with and they are unapologetic about it being so.

It makes me consider what kind of world we would live in if every single being BELIEVED they were loved as much as they really are. What would that look like? Would people choose to respond rather than react? If each and every one of the beings on the planet could feel the love that is directed at them, could accept that they not only deserve the love but could embrace the reality that they are DEARLY LOVED and CHERISHED, would there be as much violence? Maybe, maybe not. I do think that many people have no idea how much they matter to the other people in their lives and cannot tap into the power of that love. I also realize that most people's shadow selves will not allow for this miracle to occur, yet it's a nice thing to ponder.

I long for the day that every shining being can see the light that comes from within, even if it's hiding beneath self-doubt, self-hatred and a pile of unresolved issues. And my feline companions remind me each and every day how to touch that light and direct it out into the world. For that, I am immensely grateful...