❄ New Year, New Intentions ❄

The meaning of winter
Beyond our human customs, there is a natural way of this season. The winter solstice marked the ending of the waning of daylight, and the beginning of the the slow return of sunshine. At the same time, the depths of winter are just beginning, and the coldest, snowiest days of the year are surely ahead.
 
It is only natural that in this time many people set intentions for the seasons ahead. Just like the animals in slumber dreaming of warmer days, or the seeds and roots, full of potential yet quiet beneath the soil, we imagine a future so different from now, which can exist only when the causes and conditions arise in their time.
 
What future do you wish to see? What dreams do you dream? What can our shared world become? Now is the time to think big, to let your wildest dreams dance about in the vast expanse of imagination. For it is in this time of stillness, of quiet, without so much distraction that we can find the deepest connection to that which is yet to become.
 
Some suggestions:

• Take the natural quiet time that is available to reflect, ponder or imagine in whatever way is meaningful for you.  Perhaps bundled up by the lake? Or sipping coffee at a cafe?  Or cozy by the wood stove?  Find the way that allows you to relax and drop into a deeper mode of being.
• Consider that this is not only a new year, but a new decade, perhaps time to think even bigger to the year ahead. This article lays out an exercise for how to do this: Before You Say Goodbye to the 2010s, Do This Decade In Review, shared via the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine.
• Make a vision board to bring together your intentions and remind your subconscious of your goals. This can be handwritten and/or drawn, or can include pasting items or magazine clippings. Here's an article on how to make one.
• Or if you are more of analytical or of a more detail-oriented mindset, try listing out specific goals for the year and the tasks associated with them on a list like this one.

Whatever intention-setting you may be doing this year, we here at Railyard are here to support you in the areas of health, personal growth and education.
 
To better your health, we offer herbal consultations. We have "min-consultations" which are 10-30 minutes and 2 hour "initial consultations" to go in depth. All consultations may include a personal herb recommendation, such as a custom tea or tincture blend. Learn more about these services here.
 
There are also other healing practices here, including a naturopathic doctor practice, acupuncture, ayurveda and more. You can see some of the practitioners' info here.
 
For personal growth, we have opportunities to meditate, learn reiki, share stories and more. Come join us in community and expand your horizons.
 
And of course we have lot of opportunities for education about herbs, health, wellness and more. Check out the upcoming classes on our website or Facebook page. Want to go deeper with your learning? Sign up for a monthly or seasonal class pass.
 
This year we are looking forward to growing our services, expanding our event offerings, offering more online education and generally growing our community with all of you. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

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