Feeling Winter

Winter is about getting to and feeling the roots: of plants, of your life and creativity, of your potential. This is the time of year when the energy of life is directed inward and downward. It is the optimal time to plant the seeds of this year’s goals in the fertile soil of your being, so that come harvest time (in late summer), they will burst to the surface of your consciousness and manifest outwardly in your life.

Winter is also the time when many of us get that “yearly cold”. Here I sit, as I type this, wiping my own runny nose, a woolen scarf wrapped snuggly around my neck, nursing a cold/bronchial thing I have been playing peek-a-boo with for nearly a week. And my voice is gone, having literally faded inward, and what I’m left with is the silence. Maybe this is my intuitive self telling me that I need to listen more to its voice, that there is a deeper lessen to be found in this dis-ease (literally not being at ease).

I have a notable tendency to voice things a little (or a lot) prematurely; gabbing about my maybe-plans, many of which don’t ever pan out, mostly because I change my mind along the way. I know this about myself, and even with an attuned consciousness around it, I continue to do it, mostly out of habit. I realize, too, that in this present condition, it is physically impossible for me to expend much (if any) energy verbally. On another side, I also tend to squelch my voice when someone is trying to verbally overpower me or argue. (I don’t like to argue). So what does that mean to me? How can I learn from this dis-ease, this state of being? Elson Haas, M.D., author Staying Healthy with the Seasons, speaks directly to this issue:

"Each life crisis or illness has a lesson which, if we learn, we will not need to experience again. Yet, if we deny the potential learning this experience represents, the same lesson will present itself again and again, often more intensely, until we learn it."

To me, this hits the nail on the head. It inspires me to ask myself this: In what areas of my life have I not been speaking my truth? And then there’s Louise Hay’s take on it: Laryngitis=being “so mad you can’t speak; fear of speaking up; resentment of authority.” She suggests saying a positive affirmation to counteract the ailment, and in my case it is “I am free to ask for what I want. It is safe to express myself. I am at peace.” (Check out her book: Heal Your Body.) I will journal this one out, take the time to listen to the answer, waiting patiently for it to come. And in the meantime, my body isn’t allowing me to get away from this quiet time. If I allow and open to the experience, possibly and probably I will find the answer and the healing I need to transform my cold symptoms into consciousness. (That along with a healthy diet, plenty of rest, fresh water, gentle exercise, and help from friendly herbs like Echinacea, to boost my immune system, and I will be back to a more vibrant self in no time!)

Much of the time, illness does come to us as a sort of spiritual messenger, asking us to slow down and listen to the wisdom of our bodies, minds and spirits. Please, use this time, this winter to get to the bottom of yourself. Clear out those chronic issues that have been plaguing your mind/body/spirit for weeks, months or years. I suggest finding some form of inner reflection that works best for you, be it journaling, taking walks, meditation, yoga, or talking with a qualified and compassionate counselor or therapist. We all have our own unique way of expressing ourselves, our voices, our talents and our truths. Take this special time, this winter to develop and delve into yours.

And here’s a little culinary treat, also excerpted from Staying Healthy with the Seasons. It’s a winter delight: warming, soothing to the kidneys, and easily re-heated as to be enjoyed again and again.

Millet, Squash & Adzuki Bean Stew

1 cup adzuki beans (little red one, can be found in bulk section of health food stores)
1 ½ cups millet, dry-roasted in skillet
5 cups water (I add another cup, to make a soupier consistency)
1 piece kombu seaweed (found in foreign/asian section of store)
1 small butternut squash, seeded and chopped
tamari (wheat-free soy sauce) to taste

Place beans, millet, water and kombu in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Arrange squash chunks on top of the millet and beans. Simmer 30 minutes loner. Season with tamari. Serves 6.

(Adzuki Beans)