I'm sure you can remember this time of year as being a special one from childhood. For me it meant time off from school and getting the chance to play outside on the ranch. It also meant the family would be together more. At the time, I was definitely conscious of the importance of relations though it seems as time begins to pass we often lose sight of those positive and even helpful emotions in exchange for emotions being raised from stress of productivity, self worth, status and accomplishment.

As we approach the final days of the year, I challenge you to challenge yourself and your own conscious thought. The solstice is nearing and bringing with it the shortest day of the year. Traditionally and culturally this may well be the very beginnings of Christmas and where we can begin to realign our thinking to a more helpful status of being.

Wikipedia states the following: "The winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not assured to live through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common in winter between January to April, also known as the famine months. In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was nearly the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time."

Looking at the realities of the above statement we can begin to see how far we've strayed from the meaning and the essence of this very important season. Winter is often accompanied by harsh weather which means if one is to survive the famine months, rationing and careful planning are in order. It seems off the mark to be using up reserves on anything but the essentials as we often do on this holiday. The symbol of light was meant to welcome the sun to awaken from it's winter slumber and provide much needed light and warmth for the coming planting season. I have to remember this as I see houses adorned with strings of light possibly draining energy resources. Try lighting candles as your way to welcome in the light. For those of you with the ability to burn fallen timber as a large bon fire, do so with the sentiment that you are holding vigil for the return of the sun. Within this process remember to thank the present darkness. It is in darkness that we find rest, revitalization and time for thought and reflection. Placing or harvesting evergreens inside or outside the home was a conscious act that symbolized the continuity of life and the wheel of the year. It seems as if the trade off for this holiday harvesting could be holiday rejuvenation and the planting of seeds in the literal and unconscious sense.

I guess what I'm suggesting is that we become more conscious of why we are here and what may be the most meaningful ways to spend our time and efforts. This consciousness may give us the opportunity to find some sanctuary in the mind and the room to express the essence of our being. This may in turn begin the path of the circular continuity of the Self which I believe to be the beginnings of health and wellness.

I grant you that this may be a deeper path requiring a conscious effort that many have not experienced and yet the limitations and walls subsequently removed can reveal limitless space to realize our own options. Turn off the modern lights, experience and be with your own darkness and then strike the flint and light the candle that represents the Self's torch of truth.

This is my gift to you. Enjoy this season and enrich the meaning by engaging in a relationship with yourself. Within the darkness you shall come to light.

Rochelle Gravance
Habitsforming.com
Habitsforming@yahoo.com

My grandfather used to say, "Better tighten up your belt". He was referring to the conscious act of being conservative in times of financial strain. I grew up with a lot of common sense references just like that one. I use them on a daily basis to help me make decisions.

This may be the first time in the lives of most that we may actually begin to see (reap) what we have sewn. So batten down the hatches, tighten the belt, weather the storm and do what you have to do to survive. Interestingly enough, this depreciation comes to light in a time when our early ancestors were doing this very same thing. Preparing themselves for the long winter ahead meant rationing of food and supplies that they had secured during the three previous seasons.

I will speak more about the meaning of the solstice in my next post. Today I want to make some comparisons to what you can do for your health and well being as they can be related to the economy and the housing market. In other words, how to recession proof your health.

I just finished reading an article about how one can retain value within the home during a time of falling real estate prices. The first tip was to buy a home in a neighborhood of better homes. This simply means to be sure that the neighborhood you choose to buy in has as good or better quality homes than the one you own or are considering for investment. This will help your home to hold it's value. One can compare this to the quality and retention of your health and wellness by looking at the individuals you choose to maintain in your social circle. Quality, health conscious individuals will set an example, maintain consistency and provide social support for their peers when times get rough. Social support is among the top three reasons exercisers and those concerned with their health stay strong and succeed where others may fail.

The next tip is to make sure the home's infrastructure is sound. Plumbing, septic systems, wiring and foundation all play a vital role in value retention. How's your infrastructure? Eating well, exercising, challenging your brain and stress relief all have great influences on how your body will hold up and function as we age.

So what can one do if maintenance has not been a priority? This question brings us to the next tip which is a remodel. Bringing up the value of a home with a remodel can be a tricky thing. Surface remodeling may help a little but to really get the value of your efforts and your dollar to increase, one needs to remodel the most important parts of the home. Remodel the infrastructure first. Take care of the foundation of what holds the home together and makes it functional. Just like the home, the body needs to be remodeled from the ground up. Get all the moving parts in working order. Fruits, veggies, essential fatty acids and clean, lean protein with adequate exercise, social support and stress management will grease the joints, patch the cracks, clean the pipes and insulate the walls.

It's time you know. Avoidance can only keep us from truth and reality for a short time. Maybe only until the foundation gives way. The harshest part of this reality is you never know when it may happen since you really can't see the condition of the vital parts of the foundation.

Get involved and take action. A remodel doesn't happen over night. Changing your lifestyle for the better doesn't either. Small projects everyday is the key to home and self improvement. Exercise and eat well the Habitsforming way.

Rochelle Gravance
Habitsforming.com