the 12 gifts of christmas

i'd like to pause today, during Advent, to recount and invite you to reflect on the invisible, but priceless gifts this last year has afforded.  for me...

january 2020

     adventure:  a calculated leap from my comfort zone into new territory, having a sense that the new year, like 20-20 in eyesight, would bring new vision but having no idea how the clarity would come about

february

     culture:  accepting invitations to experience cultures different from my own, which would be instrumental in not taking such an ethno-centric view of the global situation to come

march

     humility:  having purposes and long-term plans come to screeching halts gave me perspective and, like when i stand before the ocean, a chance to feel appropriately small yet connected in the grander scheme of things

april

     nature:  a deep solace and reciprocity of care with nature as found in the plants and animals around me.  having time to get back to basics in everything from gardening to regular fire-pits under the stars

may

     solitude:  time for the richness that can come from deep silence, reading, writing, and long walks

june

     solidarity:  a knowing, in the midst of uncontrollable circumstances, that one is not alone

july

     tenacity:  not giving up on anything, in everything from prayer and celebration to cultivation and correspondence

august

     empathy:  realizing truest priorities, what you would take in a fire, and lengths you would go to in order to protect loved ones 

september

     freedom:  to ask for what i need and the agency to act according to what i believe to be in the best interests of the greatest amount of people at any given time

october

     discernment:  a both/and approach that is able to notice contrasts, weigh information, and make decisions with collective wisdom

november

     inter-dependence:  adding the ability to receive to my love of giving and finding increased relationship with my understanding of God, self, others, and creation

december

     intuition:  sleep when the sun does, slow down with the season, be aware of energy & let things come to you, adapt to the weather and flex with creative, new ways of doing things

what gifts have you been given this year?