My dad called the Winter Solstice “the first day of spring”. He lived to be 99, so can I (or my siblings Ann, Ethan and Nina) doubt the value of his contrarian optimism?
Each day in front of us will have more light. And yet, we all know it’s difficult to perform spring when you’re stuck in mental winter. Many of us have faced challenges this year, and the pressure to be merry can feel like another weight to carry.
But solstice reminds me that a shift happens in the deepest trench of shadow. We don’t have to feel warm for light to be on its way back.
Here’s a 23-second piano improv for today’s movement towards spring… and for my pet frog… and for you if you are in the mood. Be kind to yourselves. Spring is coming, ready or not.
- Ari
Hi Ari, Your story made me smile. I miss my Dad who passed at the ripe age of 90, in 2013. On the 22nd of December he would ask “have you noticed how the days are getting longer?”
It got to be a ritual of his and I would anticipate his asking this every year. One year I beat him to it and tricked him into my questioning him. Not good. He wasn’t angry but I think disappointed that I beat him to it. I never did that again, out of respect, and love. I just played along. He died of dementia and stopped asking….I miss him so. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Holidays, love and peace to you and yours.
Thank you Ari. I needed to read this today. The perspective shifted something in me and lifted my ennui. Happy Holidays, my friend 🙏🏽 💖