Resolution, resolutionem – a process of reducing things into simpler forms. Stems from old Latin, resolvere – to loosen, to untie, to dissolve.
And isn’t winter all about dissolving? When all loosens its grip and falls into slumber. The simplicity of it: crisp days, just enough light for brief encounters; deep nights with endless time for dreaming and lovemaking.
Who told us that this wheel’s turn is about warring ourselves out of winter’s nest like tousled premature babies? With mounds of things to be and do, to add more and more to what is already burdened and heavy, to tally our failures that have already wounded us enough.
Who told you in the midst of winter to invite the inner tyrant that demands your immaculacy, who shames the cravings of your body, who hears nothing of the soiled shadows of your mind?
It has all become a tightening, reaching, accomplishing, doing until your bones are dry of marrow, and your skin hangs like a sad pale animal.
To hell with tyrants
and your monotonous resolutions that you speak each year like dead incantations.
Resolve, instead, to lessen.
Dissolve your asking to the simplicity of being.
Your prayer, to just one:
to find the spring that will nourish your fruits for ever.
***
I found my prayer for the new year and all the years to come and all the old years that have passed within Rumi’s beautiful poem:
Seek the wisdom that will untie your knot. Seek the path that demands your whole being.
Leave that which is not, but appears to be. Seek that which is, but is not apparent.
You are searching the world for treasure, but the real treasure is yourself. If you are tempted by bread, you will find only bread. What you seek for you become. Your earthly lover can be very charming and coquettish, but never very faithful. The true lover is the one who, on your final day, opens a thousand doors.
First, lay down your head, then one by one, let go of all distractions. Embrace the light and let it guide you beyond the winds of desire.
There you will find a spring and nourished by its sweet waters, like a tree you will bear fruit forever.
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