This Saturday is the winter solstice. The solstice is the longest night of the year and astronomically marks the beginning of longer days and shorter nights. Since prehistory the winter solstice has been seen as a significant time of year in many cultures. Since much of my work connects the external to the internal, I invite you to ponder this correlation.

In nature, where it is winter, everything slows down in order to regenerate. As such, this winter is also the symbolic winter of your life. Many of us spend all year in a state of overwhelm and so much busyness that we never really take the time to honor what’s going on within the deepest part of our heart. Slowing down is necessary.

As the light increases externally, it illuminates our darkest and most hidden thoughts internally. It’s a good time to reflect and pay attention to what is going on within. What are you truly feeling? Are your actions aligned with where you want to be in your life? Take some time to be honest with yourself. Then start the process of winding down and making plans to set new rules of engagement with the people, and situations that are draining you the most.

Daily mission

How you define your experience of each day will completely affect how you feel about the day. Make sure you notice the magic and magnificence that is present if you look for it. Create positive consistency in your day even if it is quite inconsistently chaotic.

Alice Inoue is the founder of Happiness U. Visit yourhappinessu.com.