Winter Meditations

Mystery lies at the core of the creative impulse. At this time of year, there is so much imagery in the environment to stimulate creative thinking. Smells are abundant: the fir branches give off the fragrance of winter; burning candles perfume the air. Candle light casts shadows over the walls. Winter wind whipping through the trees provides an eerie soundtrack punctuated by the crackling fireplace.

Yes, this is the time when the muses circle around us and provide a clear pathway to creative expression. The sacred space between the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one is a perfect time to think about what we have done badly or well. It's also an opportunity to imagine the future and develop our vision for what comes next. More than anything, this is a time to express gratitude to those who have contributed to the richness of our lives throughout the past year. Today I plan to sit by the fireplace and formulate a list. It won't be one that itemizes things I want from Santa. It's a list that describes the big gifts I've already received and how much they mean to me.