Fourth Day of Christmas

This is the fourth day of the twelve-day festal tide - a sacred, festive season. My retreat today will again embrace the disposition of a toddler and a pre-schooler ... a busy kind of retreat, with lots of short projects and (hopefully) a long nap!

1. Christmas retreat

2. Kwanzaa principles
3. Light a candle for health
4. Read "Root and Ritual"
5. Plan physical nurturance habits
6. Plan New Year's resolutions

1. Christmas retreat:

I am again making the 12 Days of Christmas into a mini-retreat for myself, and using the Soyal Way of Being as a guide for my days; that is, I'm keeping Mother Earth in my thoughts as I move quietly and respectfully about my days, in order to establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe. 

I'm also doing some reading and writing every day, focusing on my priorities and what I'm called to do (or not do) next in my life. My plan is to contemplate, honor, and practice a different one of my life priorities on each of the 12 days, and set some goals and resolutions for 2024, based on guidance from God.

Today I am honoring physical self-care,  which involves eating well, exercising, sleeping enough, playing, and also, because it's part of physical survival, budgeting, saving, and spending within my means. Just as I need my home to be in good repair to weather a storm, I need to be strong myself. I depend on my body strength and energy to be effective and succeed at my priorities. When I am physically and mentally strong, I thrive no matter what life throws at me, and can move forward without the baggage of fears and grudges.

Am I getting enough sleep and exercise, and am I eating the right foods? Do I need to schedule any health check-ups? 

Am I showing care and kindness to my body with the little daily habits of respect, like brushing my hair and flossing?How can I celebrate my body? (with dance, creative clothing, walks, baths...)   

What self-care habits do I most need to add now in my life, to give me greater energy and increase my health and well-being? What is holding me back from practicing these? 

Am I getting enough time to relax and play, and how am I spending that time?  

Am I living within my budget?

2. Kwanzaa principles:

The third day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of ujima (oo-JEE-mah), which is collective work and responsibility. Ujima is teamwork, working together for others and helping your neighbors.

3. Light a candle for health:

I'm enjoying a daily prayer candle ceremony throughout my extended Christmas retreat, using small candles and candle ends, and will choose a new candle to add each day.

Today I light a green candle for health, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.

4. Read "Root and Ritual":

Today I'm reading again from "Root and Ritual: Timeless Ways to Connect to Land, Lineage, Community, and the Self," by Becca Piastrelli (2021). I'm reading from Part 4: Self. Becca talks about a "seasonal way of living"  that includes moving slowly, leaning in to intuition, and listening to your body's needs. She says I don't have to be disciplined or in control, but rather clear on my intentions and devoted to the process. I like that thought!

Chapter 10 is Accepting Your Body. "We need to be treating the only vessel we receive in this life with unending care, tenderness, patience, and love...". 

5. Plan physical nurturance habits:

For the first three days of Soyal I've been taking a deep look at self-renewal, and making a plan for the new year for nurturance of the physical, mental, and spiritual parts of myself, looking at one part of me each day. 

Today I will plan some goals for my physical nurturance in the year of 2024. As usual at the New Year, I'm ready to upgrade my health habits, strengthen my body, and improve my diet. I know I'd better start with small steps that I can easily maintain.

My ideas so far for self-care renewal in 2023 are:

• Walk more than I have been - rain or shine - to get in touch with my climate, move my muscles, and calm my brain.
• Continue to try out new veggie recipes, and cook healthier meals. Learn what foods give energy and incorporate them.
• Check in to whether or not I am covered for physical therapy and massage, and take advantage if I am.
• Schedule some personal play time that isn't on a phone: Read a novel, walk with friends, visit the library, go shopping for fun, and play with art.

6. Plan New Year's resolutions:

I've got lots of missions and goals, but resolutions are a little different; they usually involve self-improvement, or correcting chronic behaviors. Still, I want my New Year's resolutions to speak to my purpose in life. Looking back to my plans for renewal, quite a few pop out as possible resolutions. Today I'll take some time to write about possible resolutions.

Tips: 

• Start early: If I wait until the last minute, my resolutions will be based only on my mind-set that particular day. 
• Be realistic. Set small, clearly defined goals that will be possible to accomplish. 
• Also, limit the number to two or three at the most.
• Make a plan: Consider how I will stick to it. Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of my personality.
• Talk about it: Don't keep my resolutions a secret. Tell at least a couple people what I am planning, and ask if they will check up on my progress.
• Write about my motivations: A few weeks in to the New Year it will be very helpful to read and remember why I thought these resolutions were such a good idea.