Magical Winter

The idea of slowing down isn't so normal today. To keep up with the pace and not fall behind is a full time job in itself. Between work, family, and a social life, it seems as though it is impossible to truly stop and take a breather. 

The problem with all of this is that we stop listening to what our bodies and minds are inherently telling us to do. When this happens, our ability to listen to what the environment and the universe is telling us gets weaker and weaker. The key to life isn't in living out a single mission of eat, drink, and be merry. There has to be a symbiotic relationship with everything that surrounds us. The more we are sync with the outside, the more we are in sync with the inside and vice versa. This is one of the most important things in life. 

This is why this season is one of my favorite times of year. Winter is equivalent to kapha. Remember, kapha is made up of the elements of water and earth--so think dense, wet, cool, heavy, and grounding. It naturally is a time of slowing down and going internal. There's a reason why so many animals hibernate in the winter time...it's because it is part of the natural cycle of the season. There's a reason that our bodies tend to want to slow down, stay cozy, sit by the fire, and go internal. Kapha brings about those qualities naturally within us and without us. 

Instead of fighting it this year, why not take the time to embrace it? It really is a beautiful time to spend with yourself and those you love. Slowing down brings about a more mindful life, and it makes it easier to actually do so. Our ability to stay in the present moment increases minute by minute. Because we're constantly on the go-go-go, rushing through life becomes the norm. And unfortunately, this doesn't really allow for being right here, right now. 

Go ahead and try it out. Slow down. Take a deep inhale in. Take a deep exhale out. Now, notice your breath. Does it feel heavy? Is it cool? Maybe warm? Do you feel it tickling the top of your lip? Allow yourself to be right here, right now. Allow yourself to embrace the slowing down. 

Isn't there a sense of relief that naturally has come? The more we connect with the right here right now, everything begins to just fall into place a little bit more. Things start to make sense. Life somehow becomes a touch easier. There is a little more clarity in the decisions we make. 

The greatest part of all of this, is that with the clarity and mindfulness comes a deeper sense of love and compassion for those in our life. There's a desire to be kind and warm to people. This is what kapha is all about. Yes, it's heavy and dense--and quite frankly those words are a little off-putting. But, it's so much deeper than that. There is a magic in the depths of the kapha, just as there is magic in the depths of winter. 

As the days continue to grow shorter and the nights longer, as the temperatures drop a little bit more each day...don't run away from it. Find comfort in the warmth that is created. Find sanctuary in yourself. Find true peace and love in the right here, right now. 

The winter is beautiful, just like the kapha. Don't miss that opportunity to witness that beauty in the traps of rushing through life. 

May you take the time this season to truly nourish the fire.