Celebrating Winter Solstice: Ending 2020 On a Positive Note
December 21st, or the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year. It signals the return of the sun as the days get just a little longer. While the night of the solstice is long and dark, we know spring isn’t too far beyond. Cultures for centuries have honored the winter solstice, and we like to keep the spirit in our hearts and minds throughout this season as well.
Consider this poem by Susan Cooper, originally published in 1974, as an inspiration for the season.
“If Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind?” – Percy Bysshe Shelley
This year, we hope that the winter solstice signals the return of the sun and of our ability to put 2020 behind us. We honor gratitude in our lives and hibernate safely until the promise of spring returns again. We hope you will celebrate this season with us in whatever way your family spends the wintertime.
Gratitude
With almost any celebration, we try to make gratitude a priority. We believe that the more grateful we are for the things in our lives, the more good we can do for others. And we’ll admit that 2020 has been a hard year that has tested our ability to be grateful, but that’s why it’s so important.
I was grateful that in this time of COVID-19 I could spend more time with my children. We spent safe time outdoors visiting waterfalls throughout Western North Carolina. I also have a daily gratitude practice, which provides me with positive feelings, more joy, and trains my brain to focus on the positive side of all things, even when life is rough and you get hard knocks.
In 2021, I’m looking forward to starting a new project. It may be a tiny home project or a new garden. Or, even better, installing a hot tub in our backyard.
Celebration
There are many Solstice celebrations still honored today. Many of them have become incorporated into current holiday traditions. To celebrate the solstice, you can:
- Make an evergreen wreath.
- Light candles.
- Burn a Yule log.
- Bake holiday treats.
How will you celebrate the winter holiday season? Let us know in the comments.
The team at GoPrime Mortgage of West Asheville wishes you all a very safe and happy Holiday season.
Do you want to know about the process to apply for a mortgage? GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville is here to help. Call us today at 828-348-1907 –Zachery Adam at GoPrime Mortgage in West Asheville.
