The longest night of the year...

I just woke up and stumbled to my computer to prepare for the rest of my life. Today is a day of preparation. I believe that if something is truly important, it's worthy of preparation. Any journey, through either outside or inner landscape, will benefit from the effort.

That's how I view the Winter Solstice every year. It's both the shortest day and the longest night. It's the perfect time to pray FORWARD, to appreciate my blessings, lessons and challenges of the past that have made me stronger and, at times, raked me to my core.

So, the whole day is mine to prepare. Tonight and tomorrow Winter Solstice arrives. The fire is hot and crackling in the wood stove. My dog, Belle, is ready (as always) to lay quietly beside me in meditative support....

My first prayers for the morning...

Let Us Know Peace

Let us know peace.
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun will shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
Let us know peace.

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you, to your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind. Let us learn to share all the good things that you provide for us on this Earth.
(Ancient Native American Prayers for the Solstice.)

~Julia's Wisdom ~

"A day at a time, a page at a time, we wipe clear our vision of the world. We see what obstacles impede us, what roads are open to us. We become more alert to the shortcuts, switchbacks, and dangers of the trail. In short, we become present to our lives, at once more alive in guiding them and more receptive to signposts that indicate alternate routes. We become explorers rather than mere tourists."...

"By moving my hand across the page, I move the hand of the universe across my life."