Sunday Soul Circle: Late Winter, Tender Nerves

Winter is not a season, it’s an occupation.” –Sinclair Lewis

February has a way of stripping things down.

The extra energy disappears, the tolerance disappears, the ability to keep pretending everything is fine disappears. And often we assume something is wrong with us, when late winter may simply be revealing how little buffer the nervous system has left after months of low light and long pushing.

For many, this time of year comes with a strange whiplash: the light starts to lengthen, our bodies lean toward spring, and then winter snaps back.

Time feels delayed, heavy, stuck. If you’ve felt numb but restless, tired but unable to rest, unmotivated but anxious, emotionally flat or out of sync with time… you’re not alone. Maybe you are one who loves winter, maybe none of this makes any sense, but this week we will listen to the season and find it’s connection to our energy. 

In this virtual Soul Circle we’ll name February – honestly – and reflect with Elijah under the broom tree, where God meets exhaustion with practical mercy: rest and bread, not shame. We’ll listen to our nervous systems, offer prayers for ourselves and one another, and leave with a few simple “preservation practices” for crossing the threshold alive, without forcing spring.

with love, Rev. Wendy