This last Sunday in December, 2024, brings spiritual focus to "Letting Go". Having already transitioned from autumn to winter, December moves to its annual closure, and by our Gregorian Calendar, the year's end. Mid-week, we enter 2025. Even though a spiritual perspective may bring us a sense of timelessness--or as Evelyn Underhill expressed it, "the leisureliness of eternity", or a practice of being in the present moment, realistically, we give meaning to time and meaning to a new year. We are grounded in time and in the structures of global daily life, that reach across and unite countries and cultures. Even though other cultures have additional traditions and dates for New Year celebrations, the global world of Commerce recognizes December 31 as New Year's Eve, and we collectively review and release the old year. At midnight, in succession around the globe, we welcome a New Year. This week, consider what it means to let go. Or perhaps, simply, to Let.
Here in Southern California, the school semester ended December 20 with a short final day, and Winter Break began. I was picking up grandchildren, and parked near the school, waiting for the bell in my usual spot. It was a lovely, clear morning and my eyes swept the mountains ahead, but my vision unexpectedly settled on a curb-side tree, just a few feet from where I sat. It was a majestic old Sycamore, with its signature large starry leaves. Most of the leaves were brown, but a few still flashed red. What struck me were the tiny stems, fragilely holding each separate leaf, as if the leaf could drop at any moment. And each leaf was a perfect floating star. I suddenly realized that the tradition of crafting stars to hang on Christmas Trees developed from such a sight. Suddenly, there was an unexpected wind gust, and the stars began to dance! None fell, at least not then. The wind came and went, came and went, and the stars shimmered and leaped, dancing with the gusts. Spellbound, I realized nature is always offering a glimpse of the mystery, beauty, and awe of life. Right there, in a car, parked on this suburban curb, Life was dancing.
This week is our time to let go. The Sycamore leaves, too, are now letting go. Yet, their letting go is not separate from their process of growth; the roots of that tree are growing. Spiritually, in "letting go", we are nourished; we make room in the heart of our inner life for growth, for stronger roots in a larger frame of Understanding and Being. Our minds may divide the process with "step 1: let go, release, forgive" and "step 2: plan your goals, clarify your resolutions", but really, our finished 'leaves' fall away, as new life is already emerging. Let it happen. Let the old fade and the new form. Let go to Life that renews Itself. Let. Happy New Year! (Susan Nettleton)
For poetry: https://hillsidesource.com/freshstart https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/54327/to-the-new-year https://wordsfortheyear.com/.../in-blackwater-woods-by.../ https://yourmindfultribe.org/.../u4uz0vy8ceorbknfz5b6q3w0...