Dec '24 • General discussion
The Gift of One More Minute ☀️
Today is December 21st, the Winter Solstice. It’s the shortest day and longest night of the year, a moment that has held significance across time and cultures. For a long time, I misunderstood what this day meant. I used to associate winter with darker days, colder nights, and a sense of heaviness. I dreaded it, convinced it was a season of obstacles. But over the years, especially through my journey of sobriety and personal growth, I’ve shifted my perspective.
The solstice isn’t the beginning of darker days. It’s a marker that we’ve made it through the hardest part of the year. The days aren’t getting shorter anymore—they’re getting longer. Every single day from now until June, we gain one minute of sunlight here in Arizona. And let me tell you, living in Arizona, where we get over 300 days of sunshine every year, that extra minute feels like a gift.
I used to say I hated winter. The shorter days, the colder nights—it all felt like a loss. But now, I celebrate this time. I’ve learned to look forward to winter because I know brighter days are ahead. It’s a shift in mindset, a reminder that even when things feel heavy, we’re always moving toward the light. It’s funny how, in retrospect, I see that winter isn’t a season of loss. It’s one of gaining—gaining light, gaining clarity, and gaining resilience.
Tonight, I’m taking my son out to the desert to celebrate this turning point. We’ll head to Skull Valley, a beautiful spot in Arizona that feels like it’s on the edge of the world. We’ll drive down Contreras Road, a stretch of dirt that takes you into the heart of the desert. No Wi-Fi, no distractions—just open skies, cacti, and the vastness of nature.
This time of year, it’s cold enough that the desert creatures—scorpions, snakes, and reptiles—are tucked away. The stars will be out, and tonight, there’s even a full moon. It feels deeply impactful, almost as if the universe is aligning. The synchronicity of the solstice and the full moon feels like a nudge from something greater, reminding us of the cycles of light and dark, of beginnings and endings.
Sitting out there under the stars and moonlight, it feels like a moment suspended in time. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come on this journey and how much I have to look forward to. The full moon amplifies this feeling—a sense of completion and renewal, of letting go and moving forward. I’ll set up beach chairs, grab some burritos from Chipotle, sparkling water from Sprouts, and maybe a treat or two. It’s not just a meal—it’s a ritual of gratitude and reflection.
My journaling session this morning felt deeply aligned with the solstice. I pulled a card that said, “Focus on your dreams, not your obstacles.” Another message that came through was to open my heart fully to receiving—whether it’s help, gifts, or compliments. It reminded me that life isn’t just about pushing forward; it’s about allowing ourselves to receive the light and joy that’s already on its way.
Winter reminds me to support both my younger and older selves. My younger self, that playful and curious kid who loved exploring the world, deserves my compassion. My older self, the wise 96-year-old I aspire to be, deserves my integrity and commitment to staying aligned with my values. This is what the solstice means to me now: a time to honor where I’ve been, where I’m going, and the light that’s guiding me along the way.
The Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures around the world for centuries. In Scandinavia, ancient Norse peoples celebrated Yule, a festival of light and warmth. Fires were lit to symbolize the sun’s return, and people feasted in gratitude for the light to come. In ancient Rome, Saturnalia marked a time of celebration and gift-giving, honoring the god Saturn and the promise of renewal. The Mayans built their pyramids to align with the solstice, marking the moment when the sun began its return. In modern Japan, the solstice is celebrated with yuzu baths, where people soak in water with citrus fruits to welcome health and vitality into the new season.
These traditions remind me that this is a universal moment—a shared acknowledgment that the darkest days are behind us and brighter days are ahead. If you’re looking for a way to mark this solstice, take time to journal about your journey. What obstacles have you overcome this year? What light are you welcoming into your life now? Create your own ritual. Maybe it’s lighting a candle, taking a walk, or sitting under the stars. Find a way to honor this moment of transition.
As I reflect on my journey, I’m filled with gratitude. Sobriety has opened doors I didn’t know existed, giving me the clarity to see and embrace moments like these. The solstice reminds me to focus on my dreams, not my obstacles, and to open my heart to the light that’s always returning.
Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey with me. Remember, the light is always returning, one minute at a time.
Much Love,
Rey
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The Gift of One More Minute ☀️
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