Yin Yang – Symbol (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)
Opposites seem to be more evident to me at this time of the year. Really it is more on a yin-yang feel to the season than a feeling of opposites. Some might use the words light vs. dark to describe it.
The concept of yin-yang is more than light and dark. It includes energy, balance and movement. It involves an interaction between opposites. Look at the white dot in the black and the black dot in the white. Look at out they relate in space. It reminds us without dark there is no light and without light there is no dark.
The yin-yang of the holiday season shows itself in a few ways for me. In the northern hemisphere, the number of minutes of daylight is less than the hours of darkness or shadows. There can be great joy in holiday festivities for some while others feel a sense of loss and sadness.
Today, I find the light in the darkness represented in the candlelight of St. Lucia Day – a traditional start of the Christmas season in my family. We gather in the darkness and enjoy a breakfast by candlelight. For me it is a beautiful depiction of my faith – Christ, the light of the world, came into our dark world to be God with us. It marked the day we began playing Christmas music in our home.
Today, I experience the mix of joy and sadness. I miss my mother who though not of Swedish decent embraced this tradition as important. And, in the next breath I am filled with warm memories of serving her delicious cinnamon rolls to the family at this candle lit meal.
Is it possible for light and darkness , joy and sadness to exist without the other? Would we understand the importance of light if we never experienced darkness? Would we appreciate what light allows us to see? Would we appreciate the calmness of darkness if we only experienced light? Would we experience joy to the same height if we had not experienced sadness? Would we know the depth of our sadness had we not experienced joy?
Often I feel there is a forced joy perspective on the holiday season. Allowing and acknowledging the mix of emotions is powerful and authentic. Things are not necessarily either good or bad. They are a mix. (Take a moment to read “A Blessing in Disguise“.)
Acknowledging or making space for emotions and experiences can be powerful. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be happy or sad, joyous or depressed. We exist as more than a single emotion, a single thought. Taking time to acknowledge the duality of the moment for us or in another person can be powerful.
What a lovely post, JoAnn. The interplay of light and dark seems particularly appropriate this year, but I’ve always loved the way that in the darkest days of the year, we light a candle or twinkling lights, remembering it’s not all darkness either. The forced merriment feels overwhelming at times – I’d like to see more balance in our society’s celebration of the season.
Balancing the celebration of the season is a challenge. One of the overwhelms for me is “sales and marketing”. While there has long been a “sales” portion to the holiday, it seems to be moving earlier and earlier. Yes, I love to give and to receive gifts, but it is the time with family that is most important to me.
Hi JoAnn – I have been studying Taoist philosophy for 12 years, beginning with shiatsu and acupressure studies. So your idea jumped out at me. I think alot about the 5 Elements, which are an expansion of the yin-yang philosophy. I look at things often with this underlying viewpoint, the mix of energy, emotion, physicality and the seasonal changes. I think it;s important to develop a realistic perspective on the holidays, yet also feel the mystical and spiritual qualities. So, yes there is a ying/yang quality there.
Thanks for adding the 5 elements piece. Life is a mix of energies, emotions, and changes. Honoring them is powerful.
Hi JoAnn,
Thanks for putting this mixture into words. It is so true. I often feel a cozy warmth about being able to light candles in the dark late afternoons of this time of year. Yet I also know that the short days bring on depression for many. And it is so true that holiday family memories are bittersweet. Good to be reminded that feeling sad at this time is part of the whole picture.
Best,
Carolyn
Seasonal affective disorder can contribute to the depression. Being aware of issues like this along with the bittersweet memories might be a reason someone could find it helpful to seek professional support from professionals like you at this time of year.
JoAnn,
Permission to feel all of our feelings, the dark and the light, the comfortable and the difficult, that is a huge gift. It’s particularly important at this time of year, when the dominant message is “mandatory happiness.” Thanks for your reminder of the balance, and your beautiful family story.
Warmly,
Ann
Mandatory happiness does seem to be a major message. Permission to experience a range of emotions is important. Caring professionals like you are always important – but especially when darkness is pervasive.