Dried Stalks In Desolate Fields

"I shut my eyes in order to see."

Paul Gauguin

When it becomes so cold, loneliness can easily wrap around us. We may turn to nature only to find random dried stalks in desolate fields. The wind abrasively ravishes the face and shoulders hunch up reaching our ears. The physicality of shutting down sends messages to the thinking processes as well.

Withdrawing certainly is not the answer. There is no value in hiding in a dark corner waiting for light to come in. There is the need of engaging the body, mind, and spirit. There are numerous ways of doing this such as: sketching and painting, singing and dancing, stillness and meditation or retreating into a journal.

Throughout the day, gently hold the eyelids still extending the purposeful blink. In this gentle movement, wisps of peace send messages to our nervous system. In this brief pause of darkness, vibrant dream like images surface to nurture the lonely soul. It is connection that we seek and there is no one better than the self.