The Daily Llama brings you the word of the day, short meditations for your complete wool-being (#seewhatwedidthere?) for Monday, December 21st through Friday, December 25th.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21st
WORD OF THE DAY: SHADOW
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Meditate on this:
Winter creates subtle energy. This energy invites us to move inward rather than outward. It allows us time and space to reflect and to rest. The solstice marks the day when we spend the most amount of time in darkness rather than light.
Many of us do whatever we can to avoid darkness and suppress our shadows. When negative feelings show up, we may ignore them for as long as possible or seek to change them immediately through some pleasure-seeking behavior. We may feel ashamed that we think that way or feel that way.
But when we live in fear of our shadow-side, we cannot step into the fullness of our power. If we don’t learn how to befriend and love our shadow-side, we will not find peace of mind because we will continue to live with the tension of suppressing and denying parts of ourselves that exist.
Sober Curator Pro Tip: Check out this post about the closest conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn one hour after sunset on Dec 21st!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22nd
WORD OF THE DAY: CONVIVIALITY
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Meditate on this:
We need people in our lives to be well. We cannot have well-being if we remain isolated, disconnected, bored, or disengaged. But it matters who the people are that we choose to have in our lives, as much as it matters what kind of person we are in their lives.
Suppose you do not like the quality of relationships you currently have in your life. In that case, you need to summon the strength to change it, either by improving the relationships you now have, nurturing relationships with new people, or ending the toxic/abusive ones. For most of us, it is a combination of all three strategies.
Being sober does not mean being bored and alone. But it does ask to change what we consider to be exciting and fun.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23rd
WORD OF THE DAY: PREPARATION
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Meditate on this:
When we hear the word “preparation,” most of us think that to prepare means doing something. To prepare for a trip, we pack. To prepare for an interview, we research the job and practice how we would answer questions.
But preparation can also mean doing nothing. We prepare for surgery by not eating, for instance.
Rest is an essential part of wellness. The challenge is always about balance. We need to get enough rest to allow ourselves to recover, but not too long that we lose momentum or progress.
Wondering why you feel sleepier during winter? Check out this article on how sleep changes with the seasons
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th
WORD OF THE DAY: SILENCE
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Meditate on this:
It can be challenging to obtain true silence. Many sounds from our modern lives interrupt us constantly: the hum of the refrigerator, the small beep from a new text message, the tick-tock of a clock. And after living in such a noise-drenched existence, when we finally find a silent moment, we may panic and immediately try to find something to fill the void.
We do not know how to be in silence.
But learning how to be comfortable with silence is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves. And learning how to be silent is one of the best gifts we can give others.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25th
WORD OF THE DAY: JOY
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Meditate on this:
Joy is not something we can have. Joy is not like a sweater or a pair of shoes. It is not something we own, store away, and bring out of the closet when we need to have it.
Likewise, joy is not the same as happiness. It is more profound than happiness. Happiness is like the leaves on a tree. Joy, however, is like the roots of a tree. And like every tree lover knows, the roots of one tree connect, communicate, and share nutrients with all the other trees’ roots in the forest. Like trees, people are interconnected.
We create joy in our lives through how we live our lives in relationship with others. It is an energy that we create by how we choose to treat ourselves and treat others. You cannot act against your well-being and expect to have joy.
Do trees talk? Read this and decide for yourself
Do you have a Llama in your living room?
The holidays can be a really tough time of year. Resources are available.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
