by David Campbell, SoHA Vision Steward
Article Published in The Albany Democrat-Herald Interfaith Column
December 2023
A beginning is an opportunity to experience something as “new”. At the beginning of a New Year, it is easier to see things as “beginning” (again). Beginnings can be notoriously challenging, exhilarating and admittedly sometimes more than just a little scary. Accepting that we are in a place of beginning requires we enter into the mindset that we aren’t quite sure what lies ahead. From that place of uncertainty, we GET to explore our world with the fresh eyes of wonderment.
Sometimes we choose new beginnings. Sometimes, ready or not, new beginnings choose us. When we radically accept and choose to allow the full range of emotions that come along with beginning, our consciousness can move more easily past dense limiting beliefs into the patterns that transform us into higher versions of ourselves. It sounds easy, but witnessing yourself in the place of beginning is indeed a brave place to be.
The solstice celebration invites us to create a reference point for milestoning the endings and beginnings within the innumerable subchapters of our conscious experience. Even within a single physical lifetime, we get to create, witness, and reimagine countless versions of ourselves. How many versions of our individuated and collective selves had to be completely remade for us to be exactly where we are now? A lot! By witnessing the experience of continual physical and spiritual evolution, there is wisdom that emerges. Hold this current version of ourselves very lightly. We don’t need to hold on to or push away the current version of ourselves. In this very moment, we have already begun the process of becoming something new.
At this time of year, our spirit can feel a bit low when the darkness outpaces the sun. There are versions of ourselves that have walked through metaphorical and literal darkness. This is just part of the human path. The solstice milestone allows us to witness we are past the darkest night, and reminds us that the sun has already begun its return. Yet, who among us hasn’t felt the challenge of remembering the lightness of Spring when it is so cold and dark outside. In the season of darkness, we get the privilege of practicing that version of our faith where we know unwaveringly Spring follows Winter – every time. Every time. Just. Keep. Going. Spring is coming. You know that it is. Even when you can’t see it. You know it. This is faith.
Faith is waking up to Spring’s promise that the sun is returning even when we can’t see it. Sometimes, we witness the return of the light in subtle ways, and we might call that “Hope”. Celebrate even small moments of Hope, along with the intentional practice of letting go of the darkness. With gentle tenderness for ourselves we continually let go of those things—attitudes, relationships, and energies— that don’t align with the highest versions of ourselves. Like the darkness of Winter slowly and almost imperceptibly losing its grip, we inevitably find ourselves new and dancing in the light of Spring.
Embracing the metaphorical change of seasons seems like a pretty logical choice because change is going to happen regardless. And, although new beginnings are often companioned with grief, embracing new beginnings with the humility of a beginner’s mind allows us to be gracefully at ease with what is coming in and going out; to be present with the people that are in front of us; to be present with the emotions that are alive in us; to be present with whatever physical task is at hand; and to create new neural and spiritual pathways that act like magnets pulling us forward to those versions of ourselves that we know to be more true, light, clear, whole, healed, connected, and alive!
Namaste!
David Campbell
Leave a Reply