Light. More light.
Today is the first day after the winter solstice, here in the northern hemisphere. Ahh, the return of more light!
Although, this comes as neither a drastic nor immediate change from long winter dark. In fact, the amount of daylight over darkness increases by mere seconds each day at the latitude out my window. But that’s okay — I know it’s only going to get brighter.
Kinda like life.
Sometimes, we experience periods of dark. Sadness, loss, introspection, hibernation, facing difficulties, and some self-examination fit into this description. This can be short-term topics. I am so tired of cooking, lately. It can also be deeper aspects. Is my feeling underappreciated actually reflective of my lack of appreciating others? As much as I’d love to switch immediately into better thoughts and days, the truth is my true illumination most often comes little by little.
Which means that I get to keep learning not to fear the dark. It may seem slow, but the light always returns.
As you, too, hover with me in the not-dark-yet-not-light, worry not. There is nothing to solve, nothing to fix, nothing to create, nothing to manifest. There is only what is, and what we are, at this time. Lighter hearts are indeed coming, slowly.
I am honored to share with you the recently published essay The Sun Still Shines on the Worst day of Your Life, by Alida Winternheimer. It is a profound story, brilliant writing, and is nominated for inclusion in the anthology Best American Essays. Please read it in full online at Under the Sun publishing, here.
May we all gently shine on.
gina drellack 
