Finding the light in the darkness
I’ve been travelling to see my sister and her family in their new home in Catalonia, hence the quiet for the past two weeks.
It had been over a year since I’d seen them. It was really special to be with my sister, who I’m very close with, to take a break from my day-to-day routine, and to see where they are making their new home. We were blessed with sunshine, warmth and beautiful nature.
Coming back from the trip, I was met with the shorter days and the darkness of Samhain coming in. Taking the break from the routine was important, but some of the practices that were keeping me going got disrupted. Going back into writing and publishing feels harder.
I wonder if you resonate with the question I was asking myself: what can I hold on to when I want to hide away under the duvet?
The answer I found was: look to where the light is.
I found the light in the beautiful sunsets, both in Spain and in Ireland. In moments when I felt very challenged, the people around me came in with a hug and generosity, and held me. And I found it in trust within myself: this is really hard, but I will survive it.
Like a landscape lit by moonlight. Everything is still there. You spot a little light in different places, shining on a lake, glittering on a lamppost, bouncing off a window. It gives you just enough to know where to go next. It takes a lot of trust to know the landscape is all still there, that the day will come, the sun will shine, and things will move.
We can weather this darkness. We could even use it to let our senses rest and let our eyes adjust, so that even in the dark we see more detail, and the richness that’s there.
The deep practice I’m finding is gentleness. Not the harshness of giving out on myself for losing the rhythm, but slowly leaning towards what I know is kind for me. And patience. A lot of patience.
What pulls me up and out is also my commitment to the people, organisations and communities I support - caring for those who care. This month I’m looking forward to meeting the women of Her Circle and planning our Christmas gathering on the 6th of December. I’m joining the Welcome To project’s first public meetings for people who are ready to celebrate the multicultural identity of Ireland - join us if you’re in West Cork this November. And I’ll keep supporting the work with Sunyata Buddhist Retreat Centre, and meet the leaders of a new charity, helping them send a clearer voice across the worldwide web and beyond.
Sending you much light and warmth,
Naomi
