Topic 1 – Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

This Saturday December 21, at 4:20 a.m is the Winter Solstice and it marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, a time when darkness has its hold before the return of light. It’s a moment of transition, like the pause before dawn, when we stand at the threshold between what is and what will be.

In these long nights, some of us may feel the weight of melancholy or sadness, a natural response to the drop in serotonin, the chemical messenger that governs our mood and energy. It’s a time when we might face our own “dark night of the soul.”

But just as the solstice promises the return of the sun, so too does it remind us that light, both within and without, always returns. With each passing day, we are offered more light, more clarity, more possibility.

The solstice is a perfect time for a quiet offering. Just as we toss rice or seeds into the fire during a puja, consider this practice as an offering to your own growth. Let each movement in your practice be an act of release. With every breath, let go of something that no longer serves you. As we say “Svāhā”—“Blessed be this offering”—we let go, making space for the light to fill us once more.

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
— Victor Hugo

“When we cannot change the world around us, we are called to transform our response and find peace within ourselves.” – David Scott

“With the new dawn, a new life begins. Let go of the old and embrace the light of today.”
— Buddhist proverb

“Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind you.” – Maori Proverb

“Just as every seed lies dormant in the dark earth before it grows, we, too, can find strength and renewal in life’s dark moments, knowing the light will come.” – David Scott

“Every sunrise is proof that no matter how long or cold the night, life continues and offers another chance to begin anew.” – David Scott

Topic 2: Letting go of the dead branches in our lives

Life is a lot like tending a bonsai tree. To help it thrive, we must carefully trim away branches that no longer serve its growth. Perhaps they were once integral to the overall design, but for whatever reason now they are no longer necessary and actually get in the way. This trimming isn’t about loss but about making space for new vitality. Similarly, in our lives, sometimes we must let go of what no longer serves us—not as an act of rejection, but as an act of self-compassion and growth.”

Buddhist Principles:

Impermanence (Anicca): Life is constantly changing. Holding on to what no longer serves us can cause suffering. By embracing impermanence, we learn that letting go is a natural part of life’s flow.

The Backpack

“Life is like carrying a backpack on a long journey. At the beginning, we fill it with everything we think we need. Over time, the weight of unnecessary items slows us down. To keep moving forward, we must pause, open the backpack, and let go of what no longer serves us. This isn’t about loss but about lightening our load so we can travel farther and with more ease with what is truly necessary and important.”

“As you hold this pose, consider what in your life may need releasing. Not with fear or resistance, but with gratitude for how it has served you and with the understanding that walking away can also be a step forward.”

“As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we need and what we need to leave behind. Sometimes there are things in our lives that aren’t meant to stay. Sometimes the changes we don’t want are the changes we need to grow. And sometimes walking away is a step forward.” —Unknown

“Honor the beauty of endings, for they are the gateway to fresh beginnings.” – David Scott

“The journey to anywhere new begins with the decision to leave where you are.” – David Scott

“A new year is like a blank page—will you write a new chapter, a fresh verse, or repeat the same story? The pen is in your hands, and the choice is yours.” – David Scott

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start. Your adaptability and attitude determine your future.” – David Scott

“If you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” – Paulo Coehlo

“The New Year is a painting not yet painted; a path not yet stepped on; a wing not yet taken off! Things haven’t happened as yet! Before the clock strikes twelve, remember that you are blessed with the ability to reshape your life!” ―Mehmet Murat ildan

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” –Plato

“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.” —Francis Bacon Sr.

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. When life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” —Shauna Niequist

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” —Albert Einstein

Topic 3: Resilience

“I have faced countless battles, yet here I stand, unshaken. I have shed rivers of tears, yet my smile remains. I have known the pain of being wounded, betrayed, abandoned, and rejected, yet I walk forward with pride and resilience. Each challenge has shaped me, each tear has cleansed me, and each step forward is a testament to the strength within us all.” – David Scott

Metaphor: The Oak Tree and the Storm

“Life can be like standing in the middle of a storm. Think of a mighty oak tree. It has weathered countless storms—its branches may have bent, its bark scarred by lightning, but its roots grow deeper with every challenge. The oak stands tall not because it hasn’t been through hardship, but because it has embraced the storm and grown stronger from it. In our practice, we strengthen our roots so we, too, can weather life’s storms and rise resilient.”
Supporting Quotes:

“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” – C.C. Scott

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Khalil Gibran

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

“Maturity is learning to walk away from people and situations that threaten your peace of mind, self-respect, values, morals or self-worth.”

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Be strong when you feel weak, brave when you are scared and be humble when you are victorious.

Winter Solstice Blessing:

May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night,
That each day forward brings more light.
May the cycles of nature, steady and true,
Bring faith to your soul and well-being to you.
Rejoice in the darkness, and in its silence, find rest.