Wisdom of Winter

By Anaiya

The wisdom of winter has taught me a lot during these first few days of 2022. Since its beginning, I have had the experience of witnessing the transition of a lifelong fur friend and feeling the effects of contracting COVID. My spirit felt heavy and weighted down with the dampness of grief like a pine tree bough heavy laden with a winter’s snow. COVID lived up to its name as it met the landscape of my grief struck body. It called me to isolation in a time when a hug was so needed. It challenged my voice, breath, energy, and movement, every coping tool I have learned to use to navigate painful emotions. It imposed its need for rest and stillness.

Throughout my life, I have learned to turn to nature in moments when I feel stuck and unsure of how to respond to my mind’s, “What now?”. Mother Nature somehow helps me see an infinite wisdom that exists beyond my human state. It’s as if Source, the Universe, or God left me a blueprint for how to navigate life and its experiences. Especially the difficult ones. This was one of those times.

As I drifted restlessly around my home trying to find places of comfort, where Kleenexes would be within reach and cozy mugs of hot tea would settle easily upon a nearby surface, I often sought out a window from which I could whisper from my Soul, “Please hurry. This stinks!” Mother Nature, I am sure, giggled at me. For nature does not live by a calendar or a clock.  Nothing is ever in a hurry and every moment seems to be important. In her wisdom, she is guided by her intuition, a sense, or inner knowing, from deep beneath the earth and high above the trees, of what is to be released for what is next to arrive.

Blizzards of concern blew about my mind, “I need to teach this class. I need to record that yoga video. I need to do the dishes. I need to send the newsletter. I need to send that text, make that call, send that card.”  As my mind grew tired, I witnessed I was so concerned with what I “needed” to do, that I was not considering what I “needed” to BE for myself. Call me an emotional mermaid, because I decided there must be something beneath this narrative, and boy was there! I heard those OLD beliefs creaking the wooden floors of my mind as they tried to sneak back in. Those old beliefs that arrive uninvited. I realized my need to give, provide, and serve was coming from a place to avoid the barren silence of frigid grief. I realized that I was hurting emotionally, and if I could just do more, that would bring comfort. I realized I didn’t feel enough and of value when I had absolutely nothing to give. I knew this was simply not true! I knew this was not my truth.

For days, I gazed out the many windows along the backside of my house, surrounded by drifts of crumpled white tissues filled with a sneeze, a cough, or tears. In those moments I received the Wisdom of Winter gifted by Mother Nature herself as a reminder for my Soul once again.

Look at the trees. Having lost their leaves to the breezes of autumn, they stand deeply rooted in the barren winter. They make no apologies for their lack of shade, flowers, or fruits.

Does this mean they are any less of a tree? When spring and summer arrive, when warmth returns, they will be able to offer their shade, fragrant scents, and fruits once more, but only after a time of rest.  They understand that right now, they must use their energy to preserve their energy.

Look at the sky. Is it any less of a sky when it must cancel a sunny day for a cloudy rainy one? When light must make space for darkness, or when blue has to surrender to grey?

Look at the stillness and the rest that is all around you. The tree does not fear being enough in this moment. The night sky does not anxiously await the sunny days. They rest, surrender, and allow, for they know that what they are in any moment is enough. So, I embraced Mother Nature’s teaching and, like any good yogi would, I solidified my mantras!

I AM enough when I rest. I AM enough when I surrender to a life season. I AM enough in my grief state. I AM enough in my present health state. I AM enough.

I share this with you my friends, whatever season you are experiencing in life in this moment...

YOU ARE enough when you rest.

YOU ARE enough when you surrender to a life season.

YOU ARE enough in grief.

YOU ARE enough in your present health state.

YOU ARE enough.

The dishes can wait. The text can be postponed. You can cancel or reschedule plans. You are allowed to need yourself and be there for yourself because you are enough.

Thank you, Mother Nature for the Wisdom of Winter and the reminder once again, no matter how many times I ask.

Quiet Journey of a Snowflake

By Anaiya

A snowflake is a wise teacher. Its journey, a wondrous adventure of surrender, growth, transformation, and freedom. If we choose, we can receive this teaching as a quiet guiding gift that helps each of us navigate our own life. A life that absolutely requires one to surrender, grow, and transform into their uniqueness...where freedom lives.

In the quiet of a cold winter’s night, beneath a heavy blanket of grey moon glazed clouds, the journey of a snowflake begins with surrender. A tiny droplet of water gently releases from its cozy cloud and embraces a piece of pollen or dust, embodying it...crystalizing into oneness. Without expectation or knowing of a destination, the crystal meets water vapors that connect to the crystal, inviting its growth and expansion. Each experience the crystal has with water vapors transforms the once water droplet into a tiny snowflake. A snowflake that drifts freely along the inhale and exhale of Mother Nature until it silently nestles into the arms of Mother Earth. Snowflake after snowflake leaves its sky home to make its journey to the earth. Little selenite snowflake arms outstretched reaching for one another, painting snowdrifts across the land. Each embraced, met, grown, and transformed into its uniqueness. A uniqueness that joins the collective in the purposeful connection of oneness. The oneness of snow reflecting the moon glazed light back to its skyward home.

This is the journey of a snowflake. The journey of oneness.

Indwelling Soul of a Tree

by Anaiya

It’s that time of year again when some nature Beings begin to seek refuge from the approaching winter in the northern hemisphere. Curiously scouting for that single space that brings them shelter, warmth, and safety. For some, this is a den found burrowed into the earth. For others, this may be the sacred shelter of a tree hollow. 

A tree hollow occurs when a tree has experienced an injury or trauma to the tree bark that creates a hollow opening into the sapwood layer of the tree. Sometimes this is the result of a breakage, fungi ‘fun-atics’, or the tree’s age. Hollows seemingly have a mystical magical energy about them. We see them planted into books, imagined as magical portals, and painted across canvases where Forest Fairies gather.

Perhaps there is something magical about such a wonder. How magical that another living creature can find sacred safe shelter in a place where an injury once occurred. I am curious if this is the true purpose of a tree hollow. Perhaps what has been broken is simply something being created. Created for another Being to find safety, security, warmth, and shelter. I do wonder if the magical opening is a portal...a portal to the indwelling Soul of the tree. A Soul that now has an opening to fully express its truth. Truth that empathizes with the nature Beings seeking safety and nurturing, because it recognizes this search.

The indwelling soul of a tree teaches us that our ability to relate and comfort others comes from a space within. As Souls we are capable of feeling one another’s suffering. We are capable of recognizing when one another is seeking safety, warmth, nurturing, or peace. In doing so, we offer the hug, the hand, or a safe space to share. In this truth, we can see that we too are magical and mystical. We have a purpose.

Wandering Wisdom of the Snail

by Anaiya

As we sink into a season of inward reflection I recall a visit I had over the weekend. This was a visit unlike any other, as it was a visit between me and a snail. Such a sweet little time we shared. This little guy was hiking his home over the loose dirt in my garden, up a small stone, and onto a blade of grass before making his way to Mother Earth where I envisioned he would snuggle for the autumn evening.

I was curious about his journey. Seemingly slow to my human eye, but rather mindful, peaceful, and patient. I became curious about the wanderings of such a little creature. Where did he come from? Where is he going? What is his intention?

As I do with most nature creatures I created a story in my mind that seemingly fit the season. Perhaps this snail was carrying its home to a place of rest. Where he could slow down, get cozy, and go inward. Literally inward! I envisioned this sweet nature Being curled up in his home under the warm glow of the amber sunlight that filters through the trees. I envisioned him reflecting on his journey and feeling inspired, grateful, and welcoming a much needed rest.

Snails bring us the wisdom of the season as they gently remind us of our inner persistence, patience, and peace. They call us to reconnect with self-care and self-love. Their soft little body reminding us to allow transience. Their sweet spiral homes reminding us of the cycle of life, not just as a whole, but its daily rhythm as well.

I truly believe nature Beings are sent to call us towards an action, or reassure us of the path we are on. It is with this wisdom that I invite you, us, the collective, to be more like the snail. Enjoy the nectar of this season. Allow yourself to slow down, get cozy, and go inward. Snuggle into the embrace of October as we begin our journey towards the season of rest and reflection.

Flowing Ink Reflections…

What does it mean for you to go inward?

What element of your self-care routine could benefit from renewal? Perhaps it is as simple as drink one more glass of water per day, or it can be a bit more expansive, such as walk around the block once per day.

Where would you like to slow down a bit in your life? Can you give yourself permission to do so?