Several friends and family members have commented recently about how they don’t feel motivated to do much. They want to curl up with a book and a cup of tea. Or stay home and crochet. Or turn in early with a hot water bottle at their feet.
This makes me think: do bears race around outside in winter? Do apple trees bloom? Do birds nest and lay eggs? Maybe there are exceptions in the natural world, but for the most part this is a season of rest, stillness, and darkness.
Photo: Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from Anchorage, United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
And that’s okay, because soon enough rest will become activity. Stillness, motion. Darkness will give way to light. And we’ll put down our books and tea, set aside the crocheting project, and spring from bed with fire in our bellies.
Until then, burrow deep under the covers… but maybe not until after you join us for our final two Birth Your Truest Story events of 2023!
Write With Us to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
We always like to honor the darkest day of the year in a contemplative circle of writers. Join BYTS on December 21, 4 pm Eastern, for a peaceful writing workshop honoring our heartfelt connections to the rhythms of Mother Earth.
Amid all the grief of these challenging times, we’ll focus on using our creativity to nourish the seeds of resilience planted in each of us, just waiting for the sweet water of our attention to stir them to life.
Register here.
Breathe for Peace
December 31, 2023, 6am-6pm PT | 12pm-12am ET (DROP IN)
How can we live meaningfully in the midst of the human suffering that seems more ubiquitous and evident than ever?
Attention alone is insufficient; the world badly needs policy change, diplomacy, humanitarian outreach, and the many other actions the privileged can take in service of those who suffer violence.
But, with attention, we can activate our collective power.
We who live outside of arenas of conflict can come together to focus our attention on suffering. We can reach into our reserves of love and empathy and send them where they are needed. And we can practice treating ourselves with the same empathy and compassion. When we do, we change ourselves in little ways that transform even minor interactions. Those others in turn spread transformation to their circles. Eventually, a different way of seeing/reacting/being may reach the people and places most in need of that love and support.
This event offers a space to begin that process.
Breathe for Peace is an all-day, drop-in event (6am-6pm PT, 12pm-12am ET). We won’t be present the entire time, but Audrey will guide two or three brief peace meditation sessions toward the beginning, middle and end. You are welcome to drop in and converse with anyone else who may be there at the same time, or simply stop by and leave a message in the chat.
Register for Breathe for Peace
Photo of Lake Tahoe in winter © Audrey Kalman.
And here’s a preview of our 2024 plans. More to come!
Fiction Intensive - January
Our Fiction Writing Intensive returns in January. Once-weekly meetings with a small group of fiction (and memoir) writers. Craft discussion, prompted or free writing time, sharing.
Your Big Why: Write Into Who You Want to Be in 2024 - January
Later in January, this creative workshop will help you set your intentions and focus your attention on where the year will lead your writing.
Channeling - January
Based on the popularity of our two Channeling workshops with Christine Boschen, we are planning another set of sessions in the last half of January.
New! Speak from the Heart Community Conversation - February
The first in a series of conversations with BYTS members about writing, life, and what inspires them
Our Big 2024 In-Person Event - March
Join us at beautiful Stinson Beach March 25-28 for a rejuvenating gathering by the sea. Writing & Hiking: A Coastal Retreat Inspired by Nature.
Find out more about the retreat here. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Photos by Audrey Kalman and Florence Meyering.