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| I usually celebrate this special day by getting out into nature, in this case a long snowshoe in the woods. |
Winter solstice is one of my favourite events of the year, perhaps because I was born on this day almost 6 decades ago (that was fast). If I had delusions of grandeur, I might have thought that the light returned because I came into the world.
"Did I do that?" Even if I am not responsible for this wondrous photonic turn of events, it is still a time of year that I cherish.
First of all, solstice is a celebration that is based on observable facts, and I find that comforting in its solidity. One does not "believe" or "not believe" in this well established annual celestial occurrence.
It is a celebration based on science, which can also be just as magical and amazing as any fabrication of the imagination. The rational part of my brain likes that this event is as real as it gets.
Best of all is the fact that this is a celebration for everyone, and in a world that is increasingly fractured along religious, political, and tribal lines, such an event is of infinite value.
Today we celebrate something that is 100% inclusive, even if our Southern Hemisphere brothers and sisters are celebrating the longest day of the year while we celebrate the shortest.
It is solstice everywhere on the planet, and the wonder of nature joins us all together in one great human family on the best home in the known universe.
Now, the light returns, and I find that pretty amazing, even if I didn't do it. Happy solstice, my human family, wherever you happen to be. This is a celebration for everyone.
Note: In lieu of sending a birthday present, please donate to a charity of your choice. I don't need, or want, anything (although a cure for multiple sclerosis would be nice, and the permanent end of war would be brilliant).
Happy solstice and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Winter Solstice and Happy Birthday too!
ReplyDeleteHappiest of birthdays, Gregg! I hope you and Linda have a relaxing, joyful, lovely celebration of you and of the solstice. Peace and light, Erin
ReplyDeleteI remembered your birthday as mine was 6 days ago. Happy Birthday and move forward with excitement for the coming season.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and happy winter solstice, Gregg! Enjoy celebrating nature and your own unique self! Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone for your birthday/solstice wishes. And Bruce, happy birthday to you, too. Moving forward with excitement for the coming season (and year) is exactly what I will do, as should you. Cheers, everyone! These are definitely exciting times. What a thrill it is to work together to make sure they are better, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and happy solstice Gregg. It's an exciting time to be alive. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting, exciting, and full of potential. It is still possible to craft a truly wonderful, simple life, wherever you are at. It is easy to forget that with so many significant distractions and temptations all around us.
DeleteHappy belated Birthday you old dog. The winter solstice is my second favorite day of the year. It means the days will now get longer and I really suffer in the dark during the winter. I crave the light. Part of my Swedish heritage.
ReplyDeleteThe light. It is all about the light. Here comes the light. All hail the light. Enjoy!
DeleteHappy Birthday (belated) and I cherish this blog
ReplyDeleteI cherish your comment.
DeleteI sense unity, oneness especially at solstices. Winter has just about become my favorite season which gets me weird looks when I tell people that. I love shorter days, soft light and coziness. It's been a stellar late autumn and now winter here.
ReplyDeleteI'm commenting a month after you posted this. Happy belated birthday. Like winter solstice you bring light to the world Gregg. It is truly an honor to know you and be a part of this blog community.