From the Editor's Computer
I would like to say Thank You to the
wonderful people who have shovelled our sidewalks, helped me get vehicles
unstuck, and generally bailed me out. I really
appreciate all you do.
~ ~ ~
Here we are on the eve of the Winter
Solstice. The time of year where the day
is shortest and the night is longest.
And, in our climate, there is usually lots of cold wind and snow on the
ground.
Ancient societies knew of the importance of
the sun to their survival, especially in the northern hemisphere’s harsh
winters, so the naturally decreasing sunlight would have been a grave concern
to them. Did we anger the gods? Is the end of the world coming? Are we all doomed?
Of course, in these modern times, we know
that it is the rotation and tilt of the earth that causes the solstice, but are
we really any more advanced than the ancient societies during this time of
year?
We worry and fret, wear ourselves out,
hustle and bustle, cram more and more into our days as we prepare for
Christmas.
At a time when we should be following
nature’s example and slowing down, pausing, reflecting, resting and sleeping
more than waking, we do the complete opposite.
The ancient societies - especially the Celts
in Ireland and Scotland - built elaborate observatories
so that they could await the arrival of the first beam of sunlight the first
day after the solstice.
Why?
Because they were filled with hope.
They knew that no matter how cold, bleak, and dark the longest night
was, the dawn would come and the days would get longer and brighter again.
No matter how dark your days and night may
be, no matter how long they may last, there is always hope for a new sunrise
heralding a new beginning, and better times ahead.
This year, take a moment to pause and
reflect this solstice and when dawn arrives in the morning, embrace the hope it
brings to you - whatever challenges you may be experiencing.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tKd5pERpJKwmH86Hykl1osDkrMM8ZPKR/view?usp=sharing
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