Walking Away From 2019

“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.”
― Mary Oliver

Latching the Door

"Now the seasons are closing their files
on each of us, the heavy drawers
full of certificates rolling back
into the tree trunks, a few old papers
flocking away. Someone we loved
has fallen from our thoughts,
making a little, glittering splash
like a bicycle pushed by a breeze.
Otherwise, not much has happened..."

-   Ted Kooser, Year's End, excerpt 

No one can decide when to close your door.  When we take responsibility for how we interpret actions of others, we have to remember, they do not think like you think.  We have always had the answers and we also take responsibility for taking care of ourselves and ours.  Searching for meaning only gives us our meanings.  Life goes on and so must we.

And so, as the new decade rolls in, be good to yourself.  It's a new dawning of a new decade..make it a good one.  Latch the door when you must.



©Carol Desjarlais 1.30.19
 

Settling In For The Rest Of Winter

“Snowflakes swirl down gently in the deep blue haze beyond the window. The outside world is a dream.  Inside, the fireplace is brightly lit, and the Yule log crackles with orange and crimson sparks.  There’s a steaming mug in your hands, warming your fingers.  There’s a friend seated across from you in the cozy chair, warming your heart.  There is mystery unfolding.”
― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

I want this long pause after the holidays to be like the Norwegians celebrate it.  Did you know that there is no Seasonal Affective Disorder in Norway?  Their mindset towards the rest of this winter is one of gratitude and positivity.  The Northern Lights put on their best night sky-shows.  Their word for this time is hygge, of course, which has connotations of being togetherness and being cozy, a sense of intimacy, togetherness in warmth, and a sense of inner warmth at the outlook of this New Year.  Personal contemplation happens and their world is lit with candles and cozy blankets. 

They do not see winter as bleak and depressing.  They welcome the long dark days and nights. They do not feel pitiful and they thrive during winter.  They spend time figuring out how to repair things gone wrong in the past year.  They stay in tune to each season and get the most out of them.  It is good to consider that I, too, should make the most of these next few months.  I am going to really work on my own psychological well-being and repair some hurt places I have.  I am going to learn to go out for walks, no matter the weather and enjoy seeing my frosty breath as it leaves me.  I am going to listen to the outdoor winter sounds.  How many more do I have to enjoy and it is best sooner than later.

Pre-holidays have taken their toll.  There are decorations to pack away.  The house needs some good deep cleaning but I have made plans with someone who will come wash walls and do a good deep clean for Spring.  There are letters of thank-you to send out.  There is some self-care to take care of.  I need to set up and promise self to follow them in this new decade.   This is a time to call and renew friendships.  This is the time to consider a great theme for art journaling and setting up my day planner and purse planner.  I want to set a theme for this year.  Last year was not to body shame and I have come to that without too much struggle.  It is what it is.  As well, I want to arrange and plan for things to keep life exciting and pleasurable.  I have saved The Testament to read through January.  I have afghans to crochet and art ideas I am going to plunge into for this new year, for January. 

Yes, attitude change, gratitude, learning to enjoy the rest of winter.  Those are good things for me to do as I throw out the trash of last year and start out renewed.

©Carol Desjarlais 12.29.19

Happy Romjul

One should be four years old at Christmas time

 And know a girl who was nearly five,

And both should dress up with masks

And visit Grandmas’ house in costumes.

 It would be in the middle of the day

And the road would be easy to walk,

And all dogs should stay indoors And there would be no cars on the road.

 And if there were other children on the way

Who made fun and wanted to come along, Then, one should have a brother in fifth grade

Who cleared the way, so we could walk in peace.

And the Grandma-house should be asleep

And nobody should look through the curtains until we could tip- toe through the hallway

And put the masks on before, we knocked.

One should be four years old at Christmas time

with Christmas lights shining all day long

where the world was a house with four walls,

And happiness was a Grandmas’ lap

The Norwegians had ways to keep the holly-jolly going through Boxing Day to New Years.  They celebrate Romjul.  Rom means 'room/space'.  Jul is Yule.  They have an extended holiday called Christmas Space before Nyttar.  Nyttar means new years. 

They, like us, use this time to exchange gifts but, they also do 'thank you' notes during this time.  Of course, their stores have after the after-Christmas sales.  As well, this is a time to go through their things and have a yard-type sale.

 

Don't let the happiness dissipate easily.  Make some new traditions.

©Carol Desjarlais 12.28.19