5 Things That Inspired Me in December
Rest. Rejuvenate. Inspire Creativity
It’s been seven months since I began a new spiritual practice: making note of all of the different kinds of art, nature, and community that inspire me through each month.
It’s a simple practice. I keep an ongoing list in my journal, then take time to reflect on my favorite experiences at the end of the month. When I review my list, I notice that even by the end of a thirty-day period, I’ve sometimes forgotten about something beautiful, funny, or moving that I experienced earlier on.
As I deepen this practice, I’m reminded that I have a choice to notice what is amazing in the world, in nature, and created by us humans. A choice to express my appreciation to the artists who create this work and to not take for granted the wonders of the natural world. The practice of adding to my inspiration list lifts my spirits, gives me energy, and makes me curious about what I’ll discover next month.
Take a look at my list and join me in January if you’re inclined. I would love to hear what’s inspiring you at the moment!
Non-productivity: Have you ever found yourself completely exhausted by the end of the holiday season? There are a lot of extra expectations put on us in December to make the holidays ‘perfect’ and much of that emotional labor lands on mothers. I think that’s why SNL’s sketch about the mom getting a bathrobe for Christmas was so darkly funny! This year, I chose for things to be good enough. We had a very happy, relaxed Hanukkah in our home and my focus on self-care has helped me to enter the new year in a more balanced state of mind, body and spirit.
Winter Solstice celebrations: I had great fun teaching an online writing workshop on solstice night, focusing on inner light. I played Mary Chapin Carpenter’s beautiful song The Longest Night of the Year and led a writing prompt based on her lyric:
‘Make a vow when Solstice comes:
To find the Light in everyone
Keep the faith and bang the drum
On the longest night of the year’
We wrote about the challenge of seeing the light in people we find challenging — and recognizing our own inner light. I’m grateful that so many folks came to this solstice practice and tuning in to this sacred night. (Next up: join me for Writing with the Seasons: Winter Dreams.)
Book: Author Gary Shteyngart is a favorite of mine and I devoured his new book Our Country Friends. I know we’re still living the pandemic but a really funny and poignant novel set at the beginning of it full of great characters, examining friendship, parenting and love was a great read at the end of the new year.
Nature: Winter is mild so far in Southeast, Pennsylvania where I live and with Omicron rates skyrocketing, I’m back to seeing friends in outdoor spaces only. I’m grateful to have the Wissahickon Valley Parks (pictured above) to walk in. Set within the city of Philadelphia are miles of forest trails for hiking, biking or just walking along the river. In December, there is beauty being with the barrenness of the trees.
Something else amazing: Today, we are mourning the legendary Betty White. Watching clips of her incredible life, I was brought back to days of watching ‘The Golden Girls’ with my grandmother and how much we both loved her (and all the women in the cast). My kid is 16 and LOVES comedy. Today we watched and appreciated clips of Betty White together and I was awe-filled to think of how this incredible talent brought laughter to four generations in my family. I only knew a little bit about her activism for animals which only makes me love her more. What a trailblazer!
Thank you for reading! Sign up for my enews here for opportunities to explore writing and spirituality in online workshops. I look forward to connecting this year. Comment if you’d like a discount code for Writing With the Season: Winter Dreams.