Turning Towards
We gave this basket to our cat for Christmas, and she's barely left it since! She has definitely turned towards being warm and cosy in these cold days of winter.
I have to say that January has felt long and difficult for me (and I think for Phil too). On Saturday I realised I hadn't left the house since Monday. It had been a week of bad weather, and I'd had nothing to go out for, so I hadn't bothered. I was quite shocked when I realised that, as I really see the value of being outside - particularly in natural spaces.
The theme this month has been chosen to help me (and I hope you) to start the process of turning towards something - could be anything. As we start to climb out of winter, and we start to see more natural light with longer days, it's a great time for some reflection about how you'd like life to look this year. I like the idea of turning towards something - it feels softer than goal-setting, and is quite positive - we're moving in the direction that we want to go.
What is Turning Towards?
The literal definition is "to move in the direction of, to rotate and face". I love that! Even if we haven't got the energy to do anything much, we can simply rotate and see where we want to go. It's the first small step to help us to move forwards. I am quite clear that we are turning towards, and not turning away - the definition of which is "to abandon, quite or disown, or be repulsed or repelled by someone or something". Turning away feels quite bleak!
When we tune into turning towards, we're really focusing on the direction that we want to be heading in. We might not even have the final destination in mind, we just know that we want something to be different. We turn towards the thing that we want - much as sunflowers turn towards the sun. They don't need to touch the sun - the sun isn't their final destination, they're simply turning towards something that's good for them.
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
What Do We Want to Turn Towards?
In order to put this into practice, we need to work out what we're turning towards. What do we want to be different? Sometimes it feels easier to distinguish what we're moving away from - but try not to get too caught up in this.
One of the things I've taken from this long, difficult January is that I want to get out of the house more - to spend more time in nature. I'm turning towards the feeling of fresh air on my face, the sensation of my legs moving as I walk, the feeling of increased energy that I know I always feel after being in nature. I'm not beating myself up for staying in the house for nearly a week, or telling myself "I need to change" or "I need to be different". I'm leaning into the things that I enjoy from being outside.
Have a think for yourself - what do you want to turn towards? And as you do that, ensure that you're not engaging with the inner-critic who might be telling you all the things you're doing "wrong". Turning towards is a gentle, loving practice.
How to Turn Towards:
Just like the sunflowers above, you can start to rotate towards what's good for you. Get something in your sights, and then take small steps towards it.
Ways that we can start to turn towards:
Open your heart to the possibility of change - feel that you can do this
Pay attention to all of the small gains - how will you feel? What sensations might you experience? What are the benefits?
Literally move your body in the direction you want to go - if I position my chair so I can see out of the window I'm more likely to go outside than if I have my back to the outside world.
Respond positively to any small steps you take in the direction you want to go - yesterday I went for a walk that lasted 12 minutes! It was cold and windy and rainy. I could have stayed in, but I didn't - and that's a win!
You might need to tread carefully, gingerly to begin with - much like the coot on the ice below. But soon, you'll find your stride. Go forth, and turn towards! We'd love to hear any comments you have about turning towards something below x
