The case for loving January...

Happy New Year - would you believe me if I said that I like January?   A few weeks ago, I saw a post on facebook describing how Winter is really a nurturing season, we really just need to see it as such.  Winter is kind, it said. It showed a graphic of a large oak tree under which were three little burrows.  A fox was curled up in one, a bear in the other, and the third contained a seated young woman reading a book. Winter is nurturing it said, and I thought yes, yes it is. The post described winter as a time to recharge oneself, to look inward, to rest and rejuvenate so that in the spring one would be ready to burst forth with renewed energy into new realms… after a good winter, one would be ready to grow.  How can you be energized for the new if you don’t rest first?  I like the quietness of January… the cleanliness; I like how your surroundings look clean and uncluttered after putting away all those Christmas decorations.  I like getting back to just what’s essential.  

I believe that January is a time for decluttering your environment and your mind.  We all know about actual, physical spring cleaning, but the mental cleaning and pruning is always underrated. January is the perfect time for you to inspect the plants of your life prune and them carefully.  Dig up the bulbs that you’ve mentally planted, cut away the dead bits and make room for new, healthy growth.  

Young people, just like new gardeners, have only a vague idea of what they should grow in their gardens.  They want to keep everything - all of their plants.  They look to accumulate, fill their gardens with abundance… they want to save and stockpile for the future. They have no idea what will grow in their gardens so they try a little of everything, and there is nothing wrong with that.  When we get older, however, we become more discerning.  For example, you may accept the fact that you’re no good with most roses, but you love peonies, and they love you.  Why fight with the roses when they are clearly not your thing?  As a more seasoned gardener, you see that your space is not infinite and you realize that you need to cut out the bits and pieces that don’t really serve you.  You don’t mind the pruning; it has become easier.  You see beauty in the lovely, uncluttered space.  In January, we can look at our lives like the seasoned gardener looks at his garden.  You ask yourself, why should I hold onto things that make me sad?  I don’t need a clutter of abundance when there is such beauty in the empty space.  When I clear out my heart and mind and space, I make room for new things to grow.  Like a gardener who has pruned and weeded well, I’ve made space for new possibilities and it is indeed, beautiful.  Thank you, Winter, for this gift.