Solstice Reflections

Sunrise over the Camden Hills: Hope, Maine

December 19, 2024

I hope this email finds you well and savoring the season! December can be such a busy time, and sometimes we can forget to take a pause amidst all of the craziness. As I sit here next to a cozy fire, with a beeswax candle burning and a warm cup of spiced herbal tea, I’m remembering the importance of slowing down and simply allowing ourselves to be. With 4 pm sunsets here in Maine, the earth is certainly slowing down, and it feels like we are being gently invited to rest and reflect as well.

2024 was my first year as a small business owner. While this is something I have been moving towards for many years, this felt like the year to take the leap. I believe, as a homeschooling mom to an 8 and 5 year old, that I needed all of the years prior to this one to allow my vision to slowly be nurtured while I settled into my role as a mother. Many, many days and years were spent simply being with my children at home, in nature, at playgroups, through all the ups and downs of early parenthood. And, looking back, I am so very grateful to have had all of this time to be a mom - even if some days felt never-ending! :) Now that I have more space to breathe while my kids are in a nature-based program two days a week, it feels even more important to reconnect with that presence and stillness when I am with them.

I’ve learned that creating even a small business from scratch is a mighty endeavor that takes up a significant amount of energy and attention. This is something that I am only now beginning to fully appreciate as I allow myself some much needed rest during the holiday season. Around this time last year, I was preparing to say goodbye to my beloved grandfather when a tiny seed of an idea was planted within me. I’ll share more about this in another email, but it’s interesting to reflect on the fact that Wild Hope Botanicals was nothing more than an abstract concept at this time, one year ago. And now it feels like a tangible offering that I hope will bring value, to bless and serve others, as it continues to grow and evolve.

The return of these long nights is reminding me that now is the perfect time to sow the seeds for our year to come, to take a pause to envision the life we want to live. Where do we see ourselves a year from now? How do we want to bring our unique gifts to the world? What brings us joy and sparks our creativity? And, just as importantly, what do we not want to be doing in the coming year? What is weighing us down and draining our energy? I invite you to pour yourself a steaming cup of tea, light a candle, and spend a few minutes reflecting on this while you simply allow yourself to be present in your life.

Lastly, being in nature every day is a deeply restorative practice, especially when we are spending more time indoors. Even if it is too cold to ground with our bare feet on the earth, we can still reach out and touch a tree when we are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed. Or watch the sun come up, or go down.

I hope you find pockets of stillness that allow you to savor the beauty and fullness of this season. I am so grateful that you are on this journey with me.

Peace and blessings,

-Valerie