7 Happy Rituals for the Short Days of Winter by Christine Kane

Each year, when we turn the clocks back, I am torn.

On the one hand, I'm elated to get some extra sleep and "gain" an hour. On the other hand, it's a little sad to know that winter is coming, and the days are getting shorter.

A few years ago, I noticed that I was rolling with the change of season much more gracefully – and without the same dread I had often felt. It was around that time I learned to create rituals in my days. Seasons, after all, show us what our lives are meant to be: dark times, light times, expansion, contraction, and of course… change!

If you are experiencing anxiety or sadness as winter approaches and the days get shorter, I invite you to try one or two of these rituals. Maybe you'll start to look forward to the earlier evenings as you see the mystery and magic of this beautiful season…

1 - Create a Glow

The great thing about darker evenings is that they allow for the perfect candle lighting ritual. Create a sacred space in your home and light candles at dusk or when you get home from work.

Some of my favorite candles are antique medicine bottles I've picked up at various flea markets over the years. I fill them with candle oil and wicks. The glass reflects the flame for even more glow! I'm always on the look out for simple candles and holders. (A quick resource for all kinds of candles is TJ Maxx.)

2 - Start a Gratitude Journal

It's the season of Thanksgiving, so why not begin the habit of gratitude now, rather than waiting til the end of the month?

Get a beautiful journal and commit to completing your day with gratitude. Start with a list of five things. Write in as much detail as you can.

We live in such lavish abundance, yet it's so easy to speed through the days without noticing. A gratitude journal will change your life!

3 - Feed the Birds

Wake up to bird song!

One of my favorite rituals is to make sure that the bird feeders are chock full of the best seed possible. Our feeders always have visitors, so we keep a guide to birds near our back door so we can grab it any time we spot a new species. We have regular visits from nuthatches, chickadees, flickers, titmouse, all kinds of woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, bluejays – we've even seen rare birds, like the hooded warbler. Spend some blissful time witnessing the pure joy of our feathered friends! (A great resource for bird-feeders is Wild Birds Unlimited.)

4 - Catch Up on Movies

Winter is a great time to catch up on those movies you missed in the theaters. I keep a list in my iPhone, and any time someone recommends a movie, I take note. That way, when I get to the video store, I have a reference. You can also get great television show seasons on Netflix.
5 - Morning Work-Outs

When the clocks turn back, the mornings get lighter. Why not take advantage and wake up earlier to hit the gym? Start a fitness ritual. Exercise has been proven - over and over again! - to remedy everything from disease to depression. Hire a trainer for a month and learn some new exercises! The fitness habit will lift your mood like nothing else!

6 - Complete a Project

Remember that idea you had for a scrapbook? Or that language learning series you've been meaning to plunge into? Well, now's the time!

Winter is a perfect time to learn a new craft, create something meaningful, and get lost in the joy of a new project. Winter is also the time to go inward and lose yourself in creating. What have you been meaning to create?

7 - Get Out!

Any dog will tell you: Winter is a fabulous time to hike! It's cold. It's crisp. You bundle up in layers of polar fleece. And you get to experience the hidden treasures of a season that most people avoid.

Make it a point to find some trails or paths near your home. Then, commit to bundling up and spending time outdoors each weekend. There's rarely anyone else out - so you get to have acres and acres to yourself. (Though you might bump into me and my dog! It's our favorite hiking season!)


Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Photo credit

LOVE LOVE LOVE Mothering Magazine Here is a *FREE* sample

I am an addict! I wait for the day when Mothering is out on the newsstand! I am afraid to subscribe via snail mail because I may get it a day late! Mothering is an awesome resource for all Moms, pregnant or not!
Mothering cares about the earth and shows you how you can too through natural living and parenting.
Take my advice and read this F R E E sample!
Enjoy :-)

MOTHERING SAMPLE
( oh and.. you're welcome!! )

Make Life Easier NOW

Take it from an experienced Mom! Save time later by arranging a program to print up your labels for Thank You notes. You can use your own computer to make pre-addressed labels from your Christmas list. This will be such a time saver during those newborn sleep-less days. Also, be sure to purchase extra stamps to have on hand.
Try to send out the Thank You notes as soon as you can so they don't build up and become a chore instead of something you really enjoy.
(photo credit)

Online Childbirth Classes

YES you should take a childbirth class. This post isn't about the benefits of taking a childbirth class, it's a reminder that you should be thinking about what kind of birth you want to have. Learning about what you want and discovering the choices you have is a decision that must be made early. That decision is the basis for your choices of birthing classes.

There are many choices in birth. Everything from asking for an epidural from the moment you walk into the hospital or making the decision to have an un-assisted childbirth. Of course, choosing a natural childbirth is where classes are more important. Knowing what to expect about the birthing process and being prepared for listening to your body's cues, these are few of the topics you will learn about in a natural childbirth class.

Not sure? There are so many resouces online discussing all of your options. Search your internet for information, and most importantly, search your soul for the choices you will make, knowing you are preparing for the most important job you will ever have....

Here is a page about online natural childbirth classes

Photo Credit

FREE birth plan

I love the idea of making a birth plan. First of all, it makes you decide on some of the tough questions before you are in the situation. We all know that birth is as individual as the person, so the plan may not go exactly as you want it to, but this is a GREAT place to start! This is the BEST birth plan I've found and best of all, it's FREE!

Vist the site !

FREE things all Pregnant Mommies need to check out!

I wanted to share a few things I think every pregnant mom should know about. I found out about Upromise when I was on a flight home to visit family and chatted with a new mom sitting beside me. Upromise is a college savings plan where you earn money for college just from making purchases from your registered credit card. It's totally safe and very well known. I've been saving for all 3 of my kids and have a pretty good savings started. Find out more details here!
UPROMISE

photo by: the consumerist