Hibernation & Renewal

I hibernate. The dark cold hours of winter send me scuttling for soft, comfortable clothes and leave me curled in the corner of my chair for hours. My usual motivation to get a million things done in a tiny amount of time disappears. A cup of coffee, a book, a game with the kids, or movie night with the kids become a priority.

It is the same time of year that leads to goal setting, prioritizing and daydreaming. I have noticed this year, I find myself sitting in silence and just taking it in. Sure, there is the constant hum of the fridge, giggles from another room, and the rhythmic snore of the dog on the couch. But I don't feel the need to fill each moment with words. I am learning to be okay with just being.

I grew up the granddaughter of a minister, the daughter of an ex- minister and a part of one of the founding families of a church up on the coast. I was expected to attend services each week, to participate in church school, to follow the course. As with most things that were expected of me, I refused. I was physically there, but never mentally involved. I am fairly certain I slept through the majority of my confirmation classes and refused to join the church at the end of them. Other than attending my beloved summer camp run by the church, that was the end of my involvement.

As I have settled into my annual winter hibernation this year, I have felt pulled to return. The kids have asked to go and I I found myself longing for the familiar, kind of like those soft comfortable clothes I live in.  Last weekend, I sat in the hard wooden pew at the back of the church, the notes of the organ and the voices of the choir swelling, surrounding me and  rising up the curved wooden ceiling. I found myself breathing slowly, listening with my heart as much as my ears, and focusing my mind on just being present.  As the minister delivered her sermon, a time I had always dreaded in the past, I found comfort in her words, her encouragement to take the time to brush away the excess, the noise, the distractions, the chaff to get to the real matters. The important things. The heart and the soul of us. She shared the quote above and it just resonated within me.  It has been rolling around in my head ever since, and I have found myself turning to it often in my self imposed hibernation. 

The blog has been quiet for a bit. It is a part of the annual cycle of renewal, of turning inward rather than outward, and taking the time to clear away the extra to focus on what is most essential. In doing this, I feel I bring so much more to my life, my sessions, my clients and my business. I have an exciting spring taking shape as I meet new clients, pursue some personal projects and enjoy my children. In the meantime, please don't mistake my silence as disinterest!  I would love to hear from you about your ideas, your questions and how I can help. Don't hesitate to email me at alisondouglassphotography@gmail.com or call me at 207-522-9742.