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The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, has just passed.  It is a time when traditionally peoples the world over celebrated their holidays, whether Christmas, Hannukah or Kwanza.  These holidays mark the beginning of the end of Winter.  It’s a time to look back over the previous year, no matter how difficult, and to look forward to the promises of the New.

At this time we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in the cycles of Nature. This celestial event marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. it's as if the sun itself pauses—a moment of hush and peace before the light begins to return. Far from being a time of despair, the solstice is a powerful symbol of hope, transformation, and the promise of renewal.

Hope is not a guarantee of good times, that “everything will be all right.”  Hope is not a magic elixir ----- Hopium!  Hope is a portent, a reminder of Potential and Possibility.  It involves trust in a greater Wisdom, in the cycles of Nature, a reminder that just as we’ve experienced many seasons before, many periods of expansion and contraction, that Winter will inevitably give way to Spring.

This time offers us a unique opportunity to embrace the darkness, both literally and metaphorically. In our fast-paced, constantly illuminated world, it can feel odd to pause and sit with what is difficult or uncomfortable. However, it is in these moments of quiet introspection that we find clarity and the potential for transformation.

Just as the bare trees and dormant seeds of winter hold the promise of spring's renewal, our own periods of darkness can be fertile ground for personal growth and new beginnings. By acknowledging and accepting our challenges, and even feeling grateful for them, we create space for Hope to take root and flourish.

For me, this is a reminder of the promise of Recovery.  No matter what we’ve done, what’s been done to us, or how many times we’ve failed in the past, we can recover from the pain of the past, with patience, tools and techniques, and the support of those who love us.  Thousands of others are walking this Path of Recovery, and we can, too.

We here at FREA wish you many Blessings, and much Love and Support in this coming New Year………

John Freedom