Last updated on September 14th, 2024 at 12:41 am
The winter solstice, commencing on December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, is a celestial event that holds profound significance. As the sun reaches its most southerly point from the equator, it marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
The Winter Solstice is more than just a celestial occurrence; it’s a personal New Year’s Eve. It beckons me to rise from the winter darkness into the promise of a new spring, offering a unique opportunity to start anew and relaunch my big dreams.
This annual event is a powerful reminder of the connection between winter solstice celebrations and pursuing a bigger life. It signifies the choice to embark on a significant life journey or rekindle one’s aspirations, leaving behind limiting thoughts and self-sabotaging patterns as the days gradually lengthen. Soon, the arrival of spring brings the joy of blooming flowers, the melody of songbirds, and the laughter of children playing outdoors.
With each passing day, the daylight extends by one minute, presenting a valuable question: What will you do with one extra minute? This seemingly small increment of time can catalyze transformative change if invested wisely.
Consider dedicating just one minute daily, starting from the winter solstice, to improve your situation. Use this time to engage in a small task that propels you closer to your big dreams. Imagine the momentum you could build by investing this extra minute daily in activities you love, taking risks, starting something new, or simply being kind to yourself for showing up.
In 30 days, you could find yourself 30 minutes ahead of where you are now. Picture the impact of gifting yourself a small, daily joy—a gesture that brings a smile to your face and fills you with joy.
Take meditation as an example. If you commit to increasing your practice by just one minute each day in a month, you’ll find yourself meditating for 30 minutes. Apply the same principle to other pursuits, such as walking. Start with one minute and gradually increase it daily; you could enjoy a 30-minute daily walk in a month.
Significant change often arises from small, consistent steps. Many people make the mistake of initiating a dream journey, believing they must achieve a lofty goal from day one. Instead, consider commencing with a small, manageable step, like walking for one minute, and progressively building upon that achievement until you are dedicating 30 minutes each day to your dream.
Embrace the winter solstice as an opportunity to kickstart your dream journey with a celebration or ritual. Light candles and take a moment to list your aspirations. Review this list each night before sleeping, or transform it into a collection of goals placed in a beautiful jar with inspirational sayings. Pull from this jar for motivation throughout the coming year.
Challenge yourself every 30 days to explore ways to make one dream come true. Acknowledge that motivation may wane sometimes, so take small steps, like putting on walking shoes, even when you don’t feel like doing more. Remember, a small beginning is still a beginning—it’s change.
For additional solstice-inspired rituals to set the tone for a year of living your dream, refer to my article, 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year.
Commit to making the next 12 months the year you utilize one extra minute each day to turn a dream into reality. Embrace the transformative power of consistent, incremental efforts and let the winter solstice catalyze a year of positive change.
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Catherine Hughes is an accomplished magazine columnist, content creator, and published writer with a background as an award-winning mom blogger. She partners with companies to create captivating web content and social media stories and writes compelling human interest pieces for both small and large print publications. Her writing, which celebrates the resilience and achievements of Northern California’s residents, is featured in several magazines. Beyond her professional life, Catherine is passionate about motherhood, her son, close friendships, rugby, and her love for animals.
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