Decoding Seasons: Winter's Reflections, Transformations, and Personal Growth

As we go through the third week of 2024, I find myself snowed in with over 9 inches of snow for the past few days. We've officially reached the depth of winter. It's not my favorite season, I was born in the summer, but there's a season for everything.

In recent writings, I've covered the winter solstice, and intentional beginnings in 2024, recommended my favorite transformative book and explored the energy of the new moon.

This week started with the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, observed on his actual birthdate this year. I want to continue with us taking advantage of this 8-year learning to live our best lives by embracing overall well-being, personal growth, and empowerment.

As a black woman, it is because of Dr. King and countless others' efforts that I can dream of living the way I do, desire to, and venture into businesses that, despite industry challenges, offer daily opportunities. He was a beacon of light.

Through my gifts, I am focused on providing resources, experiences, and guidance that integrate science, spirituality, wellness, and online business.

This creates more light in a world of beauty and darkness that we have to navigate through to connect to the beautiful light within and share it. Dr. King said,

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

If I could play music at this point, I would cue "All of the Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA. That music video is amazing.

The winter phase is about renewing your light. A full year can be draining, and without finding time to pause during a natural time of peace, reflection, and introspection, you risk entering another cycle of burnout, overwhelm, and taxing your nervous system.

Believe me, I've been through it. For a long time, I was managing school, work, children, marriage, and a wellness center in NYC, the city that never sleeps. 😩

I was always on the move, it caught up with me though and my nervous system was overwhelmed until I realized I needed to make a change.

In a way, I'm thankful that 2020 pushed us to shift, reevaluate, and slow down. Many of us hadn't experienced taking a hiatus or sabbatical before, and now we know what it feels like. The nervous system needs a restart.

However, breaking old habits isn't easy. This is why I shared, Atomic Habits by James Clear, this book can powerfully transform your thoughts, actions, and habits.

So, how's your year beginning? Are you finding time to think, look inside yourself, and be aware of your feelings?

Each season has its purpose, and now is the time for reflection. When it gets warmer, it's easy to overlook this. Checking in with ourselves regularly is important.

This weekend, I'll share an assessment from the 90-Day Self-Care planner. If you have a planner, this is the best time to use it. The assessment is a way to figure out where you've been, and where you are, and create a plan of action for where you want to go. Soon, I will be reopening 1:1 sessions and more for support.

This helps you make plans and build habits that you can put into action.

Over 20 years ago, my mentor of mine told me:

“Where you are now is an accumulation of what you have been doing up to now. You want to change where you are going, change what you are doing now”.

I have never forgotten that because at that time my life was a whole mess that I had to clean up. I'm not too proud to admit I forget things sometimes.

However, these days meditation, affirmation, herbs, and support from my guides have been significant helps me, especially in those moments when I forget That's what spiritual awakenings are all about, and I've had quite a few.

Below, I want to share a detailed explanation of the seasons from an Eastern philosophy viewpoint.

Each season has its energy, and it's important to honor and understand them for our well-being and personal growth.

Winter is associated with Water:

• Energy: Stillness and Reflection
• Transformation: The deep, quiet energy of water in winter encourages introspection and self-discovery, symbolizing a time for inner transformation. This aligns with the idea that winter is a season for quiet reflection and personal growth.

Spring is associated with Wood:

• Energy: Growth and Renewal
• Transformation: The energy of wood in spring is dynamic and expansive, representing the growth and renewal seen in nature during this season. This highlights the theme of spring being a time of flourishing and rejuvenation.

Summer is associated with Fire:

• Energy: Passion and Expansion
• Transformation: Fire in summer embodies vibrant and passionate energy, symbolizing transformation through the peak of activity and expansion. It captures the essence of summer as a period of heightened activity and growth.

Late Summer is associated with Earth:

• Energy: Nurturing and Stability
• Transformation: Earth in late summer is associated with nurturing and stability, suggesting a time for grounding and consolidating the transformations initiated earlier in the year. This emphasizes late summer as a phase of stability and nurturing.

Fall is associated with Metal:

• Energy: Harvest and Release
• Transformation: Metal in fall reflects the harvesting and letting go of what is no longer needed, signaling a time for release and preparation for the coming stillness of winter. This mirrors the natural cycle of fall, where we gather the fruits of our efforts and prepare for a quieter season ahead.

Keep in mind, that this journey is about taking small, purposeful steps. Celebrate your successes and go easy on yourself. The cosmic energy around us is sacred, and we're connected to it, whether we realize it or not. It's just better if you awaken to it, so you can build a life you truly enjoy, one step at a time.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips and insights. Until next time, stay warm, and continue embracing the path to a healthier, happier life!