Polly Campbell
Imperfect Spirituality
How to Beat the Winter Blues
Ideas to help us weather these cold, dark days and tumultuous times.
Posted May 25, 2021
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Source: Nachelle Nocom/Unsplash
It’s the kind of dark-weather day in Oregon, where the leaves are mostly white but the sky is a vibrant red.
There’s a blue ribbon of light forming in the dark crevices of the mountains, as a warm blanket of fog forms above you, melting the snow and scattering golden-orange pollen on your face.
The temperature gauge on your device reads: “25.2. Ready for bed.”
You need to find a vein of connection to the warm grasses and grasses of your field. Two steps here: connect with the embodied consciousness of your breathing (when you exhale) and to your body (when you exhale). You need to send love and understanding to your partner in this embodied dance. You need to immerse yourself in the meaning of your daily work.
Here you want to find the grasses. You find your connection to the plant and become immersed in this process. You begin to notice your feet firmly planted on the ground. You begin to feel rested, even as you struggle with the cold weather.
Step 2: The hard part is pouring concrete.
This involves a bit more of an inner journey. You will need substantial amounts of time to feel fully embodied with your partner and work your reconnections to the embodied consciousness of your partner. It may be several days, weeks, or months.
The journey will be long and arduous if you lose yourself in an embodied competition or contest. Don’t be afraid to end it when you’ve lost yourself in the process. You may have more to say but before you let go of it, pause to take a breath, and reflect.
Additional exercises:
Step away from your technology for a moment. Put on your own breathing apparatus. Take a few deep breaths. Focus on your toes, and then your lower legs, and tighten your lower body.
Step away from your technology and reflect. As you inhale, feel your abdomen expand and contract. See your pins and needles.
Step away from your technology and reflect. As you exhale, feel your legs relax in an absorbed manner. See your pins and needles.
Step away from your technology and reflect. As you sit in meditation or striking a pose, imagine your body as it would be stretched out for a larger part of the day. Then imagine it as your lower body expanded and contracted on all fours.
This time of the year comes. It’s the most wonderful month of the year. I wish you to link with grasshoppers, prairie dogs, and grass. Happy New Year.