It’s midyear. Maybe let’s slow down. — Yoga The World

We’ve reached midsummer. This year is now officially on the wane. The trees outside my window have that deep saturated green, and — always a true sign of midyear — the mosquitoes in the park are disconcertingly aggressive.

I am not one for new year’s resolutions, but I have always liked myself a good midyear intention. What am I holding onto that I could let go of? What have I learned that I need to implement more? What is trying to happen this latter part of the year?

In the northern hemisphere, especially further up north where I grew up, the summer (and winter) solstice(s) are visual reminders of the passing of time in a way I never felt that strongly in the south. There is something about a radically longer day or night that helps you focus: what do I want to get done during these hours of light, how can I make the most of them? And this sentiment is even stronger when you contemplate the six months ahead: as the days are manifestly getting shorter, you are prompted, almost compelled, to take stock of what you do with your time.

There is an enforced hurry in this process that hasn’t always served me well. As I was sitting in meditation this morning, I wondered if the visible waxing and waning of the year is part of what has always propelled me forward without stopping too much for contemplation.

This week, several projects have emerged, and I feel all the urgency of the waning year to concretize them now, immediately, this month, before it is too late and the darkness is upon us.

But there really is no urgency.

This winter spent on an island in Denmark with very little light pollution taught me as much. Dark hours are also light. Winter hours have the same 60 minutes as summer hours do. There is time. All things have their season and timing, there really is no need to push.

Originally published at https://www.yogatheworld.org on June 22, 2022.