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Welcome!
Gestalting YOUR Day
Winter Doldrums or ….?
December and January have certainly had significant moments that startled us wide awake. One need only recall the almost successful terror attack on an airline and our strong emotional response. Then shortly after, the devastating Earthquake of Haiti with its unthinkable death toll and survivors’ traumatic suffering, shook us deeply rendering us feeling momentarily impotent. Yet, almost immediately humanity responded with a tsunami-like force of determination to help in any possible way. Never before, to my knowledge, has there been witnessed such an outpouring of compassion and generosity from the US and world-wide to assist the Haitians in their time of tragedy. Winter Doldrums? No, not yet.
………Or? Personal Reflections:
Well, it is the beginning of February, after all. Here, in New England, the days are still short, dark 14 hours nights; it snows, rains, freezes, thaws, and is bloody cold most of the time. Yes, of course, some people like it, the sports enthusiasts anyway. Most “normal” people, however, get grumpy, in a funk, lose energy, and use St. John’s Wort and special light lamps. Yes, I, too, get little spells like that. Then, however, I look outside, the bare, strong trees stiffly swaying in the wind, deer tracks in the snow, and the smaller Rhododendron and Azalea bushes eaten bare by wild life; and then I think, oh, how much nature can teach us about resilience.
We humans are really no different from nature, we live similar cycles from creation to death in rhythmic repetition. I feel soothed thinking about winter from this perspective, I feel connected to and part of a larger force. Everything around has soul, exists to fulfill its designed path as we all are with the only difference that we can engage in meaning-making – but who knows?
It appears that i.e. during nature’s “winter sleep”, plants’ experience can be quite traumatic considering the damage the elements can cause. Yet, in spring all plants grow new, vigorous shoots so as to say “how dare you try”. In fact, most plants grow stronger and more resilient. For example, I am fascinated by how Rhododendron leaves protect themselves from unpredictable temperature changes and ice. They curl up to prevent frost damage; while they are not always successful, come spring, they sprout new, vigorous leaves and blossom profusely in spite of winter’s hardship. We humans are little different from plants. We get hurt, bruised, feel beaten from the tribulations of life - or so it appears. Yet, rather than let go, like the plants, we grow strong and resilient, using our inherent strengths, learn and continue to grow and bloom.
Here’s the OR. We could consider and appreciate the natural, organic rhythm of the yearly life cycle. Listening to our physical needs to hibernate some and taking actions accordingly could go a long way to reduce what we call winter blues. After all, we wouldn’t consider turning on the heat in the summer. I am talking about small things that could make a difference.
- like going to bed a ½ hr earlier,
- watch less TV,
- curl up and read light novels,
- listen to fewer news reports,
- listen to enjoyable music,
- plan for the summer,
- take a walk in the snow,
- remember the fun you had the previous summers.
None of these things cost money but they take us away from some of the frenetic activities that seem overwhelming during the winter months. Try them and experiment with possibilities. Life is too short to fight your physical needs. You may even get to savor some moments.
Try it, you may like it!
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Inspirations to Gestalting Your Day |
“Ah! There is nothing like staying home for real comfort.” Jane Austin
"Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.” Johann Wlfgang con Goethe
“You have a solemn obligation to take care of yourself because you never know when the world will need you.” Rabbi Hillel
“Nature has given the opportunity of happiness to all, knew they but how to use it.” Claudian
Resources to Gestalting Your Day |
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and Coaches
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Teleclass Workshop begins March 16, 2010
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