Winter holds a sacred rebellion: your most radiant creations, like seeds, must first rest in darkness.
Forget what the world demands of January.
My old self would have been one of those people at the gym on January 2nd, ready to make myself "better." She used to try so hard to fit in, to do what she felt the world needed to see her doing.
But our bodies and nature remind us that winter is a time for slowing down, turning inward, and allowing our dreams to gestate in the womb of our creative consciousness.
Today, I choose to honor my natural rhythms and celebrate myself during this hibernation season. I remember that no external validation will ever give me what I need. It is only my heart, my intuition, and my trust that can guide me now.
This leads me to reflect on what it means to be sacred. For me, being sacred means honoring the divine spark within myself and others, recognizing that life itself is a holy journey. It means trusting in the unfolding of my path, even when it doesn't match my expectations or desires. It means allowing life to be my guide rather than constantly forcing myself into a mold of who I think I "should" be.
Are you in touch with your sacred life?
Are you allowing life to guide you, or are you still trying to be what you believe you need to be?
These are powerful questions to sit with as we move through this winter season of introspection and creation.
An essential part of this process is learning to celebrate ourselves, even in the quiet, inward moments.
Celebration isn't just for big, external accomplishments—it's for our small, daily choices to honor our truth and follow our heart.
How can you celebrate yourself in this season of hibernation?
Perhaps it's through a ritual of self-care, a special meal, or a love note to yourself. Maybe it's by sharing your dreams and creations with a trusted friend or by taking a moment to acknowledge your growth and resilience.
My word for this year is "GROW." Grow is more than just a word—it's an invitation to expand beyond the boundaries of what I believe is possible. Like a flower reaching toward the sun, I choose to:
G - Generate new possibilities through heart-centered living
R - Reach outward, connecting deeply with others and the world
O - Open to experiences beyond my wildest dreams
W - Welcome surrender as the path to joy
This GROW isn't just personal—it's an offering to the world, showing how our reality shapes itself around our perspective, how joy blooms from willing surrender, how connection creates endless possibilities. As I grow, I become living proof that we are the architects of our own joy, that our hearts know the way to our deepest dreams.
Over the next month, I will be exploring and expanding on this theme of growth, allowing it to unfold and reveal deeper layers of meaning. Central to this exploration is the practice of presence. Being present means:
Dedicating ourselves fully to each moment
Finding joy in the process itself
Releasing attachment to outcomes
Trusting in divine timing
Allowing action to flow from desire rather than obligation
Remembering that creation happens only in the now
Celebrating each step of the journey
Here are some practices and journaling prompts to align with the energy of winter and cultivate presence:
Daily journaling: Spend 10-15 minutes each morning free-writing about your word and any insights or inspirations that arise. Prompt: What does my word reveal to me today? How can I embody its essence?
Meditation: Set aside time each day to sit in silent meditation, focusing on your breath and allowing your word to guide your thoughts and feelings. Prompt: What arises when I create space for stillness? What wisdom does my inner voice share?
Nature walks: Take mindful walks in nature, observing how the winter landscape reflects the themes of your word and the season. Prompt: What lessons does nature offer me in this moment? How can I mirror its rhythms of rest and renewal?
Sharing circles: Gather with trusted friends or community members to share your experiences, creations, and celebrations around your word. Prompt: What insights and joys can I share with others? How can we support each other's growth and celebration?
Celebration ritual: Create a simple ritual to celebrate yourself and your journey. Light a candle, write a gratitude list, or offer a prayer of self-blessing. Prompt: What do I want to celebrate about myself today? How can I honor my own sacred path?
As we navigate this journey of self-discovery and growth, it's important to remember that life meets us exactly where we are, offering what we need for transformation. Every encounter, whether with a person or circumstance, carries growth potential. When we stay curious and open, even our challenges become sacred teachers.
This journey isn't linear—it's an ever-expanding spiral. Like a garden reaching toward the light, we grow in all directions at once, returning to familiar places with new understanding. Each turn brings deeper wisdom, greater compassion, and a more authentic expression of our true nature.
May your word of the year and your creative expressions be a reflection of your own unique magic and a guiding light for the path ahead. May we all find presence, joy, and growth in this sacred season of hibernation and creation.
What are you finding sacred at this time?
Where can you celebrate yourself?
I would really love to hear.
Great writeup again Alicia! I felt a strong connection to the thoughts you shared. The idea of a "divine spark," while not a phrase I usually use, perfectly captures that inner voice that quietly nudges us forward. It’s such a powerful reminder of how small we are in the vastness of the universe, yet how much we are guided by something deep and meaningful inside us. It’s not about the label but about tuning in and letting that inner wisdom lead us to a truer version of ourselves. That’s where everything starts to click, doesn’t it?
Your choice of the word GROW feels so alive. I love how you’ve broken it down into something actionable, turning it into a way of living with intention. It’s inspiring to think of growth not as a big leap but as a steady, ongoing process - small steps that open us up to new possibilities. It’s a beautiful reminder that growth is more about the journey than the end goal, and it’s something I’ll be holding onto as I reflect on my own path.
What really hit home for me was the part about life meeting us where we are. It’s so true that every experience, whether easy or hard, has something to teach us if we stay open to it. The way you described challenges as sacred teachers feels so freeing as it shifts the perspective from frustration to curiosity. Life as you said isn’t a straight road. Rather, it’s more like a winding trail that loops back on itself, always with something new to discover. I love how you captured that feeling of growing and evolving, even in the messy, imperfect moments.
Thank you again for writing this. It definitely reminds us to slow down and appreciate not just the big wins but also the small, quiet moments where we’re just figuring things out. A great perspective that we want to carry forward.
That's something I have to work on, releasing attachments to the outcome.