The winter solstice doesn’t also mean that we will experience the coldest day of the year.
The earth still contains some heat from our summer and autumn.
The coldest day of the year is still a month or so away.
*sigh*
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| Hope, 2015, Ian Friend Gallerysmith |
The sun has come out in Sydney this morning…and that always helps…but it doesn’t look like it will last for very long.
Apart from it, there is no other green
Are now scars and holes
My dear, that is a fact of life
Solitary, dark, but not as bad as despair
Theosophie Alchemie Autore, 1687, Michael Maier
After a long blogging absence my good friend, The Girl Booker posted the post I needed to read last night.
Two years ago she read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic.
She finally posted her thoughts on it yesterday, fully aware of the irony in waiting two years to publish.
I really like the way she talks about creative living as being work. Sometimes it is hard, sometimes it is even boring, and only sometimes is it wondrously inspiring. But if it is something you feel compelled to do, and it makes you feel better at the end of each day, then it is important. She also affirms that it is important even if you are the only person to see the finished product. It’s about the process for the creator, not about the intended or eventual audience.
Amen!
This morning I picked up an ARC teetering on the top of my pile.
It’s title caught my eye –
Solitude: In Pursuit of a Singular Life in a Crowded Life by Michael Harris.
First up, the cover matches the top I’m wearing today (it’s always a bonus when you can colour coordinate your book with your outfit!)
Secondly, the book discusses the rhythms of life:
‘there’s a time for resting, a time for hunting, a time for courting, a time for hiding.’
In our modern society we have changed the rhythms of life so much that we have lost the experience of true solitude. We never find ourselves alone anymore – we’re always on our phones; we’re connected and busy.
This struck a chord with me.
I think my words have got lost in the busyness of modern life.
My motivation and my passion got attached to external constructs.
I need to, I WANT to, get back in touch with what’s important to me.
I am compelled to write – I always return to words.
I just need some quiet time, some solitude, to rediscover my inspiration.
So strange, when I am energetic during the summer, you experience the winter dip that awaits me yet again. The seasons rule our lives and it feel natural. Today I sat in the sun 06:24 and enjoyed the first instant of summer. My cats are lounging on the back of my reading chair snoring while we have 16 hr 45 min of sunshine. Your post was wonderful and I will read the post by The Booker Girl with my second cup of tea. The choic of you next read is inspiraional. I love solitude and the thoughts it sets free. Your journey is never ending….you will find your words even on a salty day.
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Thank you so much for this post. I agree with so much. I try to spend as much time in nature as possible. It helps me stay in touch, not just with the seasons, but with time. The seasons take their time. There is a meaning for me there somewhere. I wish you well on your quest.
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It might be the shortest day of the year…but it's also the longest night – perfect for a late night reading fest 😀
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Don't go too quiet on the blog, will you! It's summer solstice here and we're in the middle of a heatwave in the UK so it might actually be the hottest day! Happy solstice!
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Thanks for your everlasting support Nancy. Solitude is something I embrace too, but there are days when the blues take hold. I've been over-stretched at work lately as well, which is usually one of my solaces. It goes like that sometimes. Illogically, I'm blaming it all on June!
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The park at the end of my street saves me on a regular basis Laurie. Living in the city makes it harder to stay attuned to the seasons. I miss the autumn & spring of country life in particular. Thank you for your kind words, especially since I know this is not an easy time for you. Nature has such potential to heal us – I'll be thinking of you on my next walk & wishing us peace.
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The silver lining… it's always getting lost in a good book!
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Happy summer solstice Lizzy!
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