The Solstice

 I live in the Northern Hemisphere and my daughter and her family live in the Southern Hemisphere. So our winter solstice, the 21st of December is her summer solstice. This day is a significant date in both hemispheres, as it marks the solstice, but its meaning and experience differ depending on whether you are in the Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere.

Northern Hemisphere Perspective

Winter Solstice: The 21st of December is the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter. The sun's rays are at their most oblique angle, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.

Daylight and Darkness: In regions closer to the Arctic Circle, such as Scandinavia or Alaska, this date may bring only a few hours of daylight, or none at all in areas experiencing polar night. Closer to the equator, the difference in daylight hours is less pronounced.

Cultural Significance:

Many cultures celebrate festivals or rituals around the return of light, such as Yule in pagan traditions, which later influenced Christmas traditions.

It’s a time for reflection and hope as days gradually lengthen after the solstice.

Seasonal Impacts: Winter activities such as skiing and holiday festivities dominate. Cold weather and potential snowfall define the season in many areas.

 Southern Hemisphere Perspective

Summer Solstice: The 21st of December is the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. The sun is at its zenith over the Tropic of Capricorn.

Daylight and Warmth: Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America experience long, sunny days and warm weather. Closer to the Antarctic Circle, regions like southern Patagonia experience 24-hour daylight, known as the midnight sun.

Cultural Significance:

This time coincides with summer holidays, beach trips, and outdoor celebrations.

Events like Christmas in the summer are celebrated with barbecues, picnics, and festive outdoor gatherings.

Seasonal Impacts: It’s a period of high energy, growth, and vibrancy, with nature in full bloom and many regions enjoying peak agricultural and tourism seasons.

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Comparison

Aspect	Northern Hemisphere	Southern Hemisphere
Date	Winter Solstice	Summer Solstice
Daylight Hours	Shortest day of the year; long nights	Longest day of the year; short nights
Weather	Cold, snow in many regions	Warm, sunny, and summery
Cultural Themes	Reflection, light returning, introspection	Celebration, vitality, outdoor activities
Natural Phenomena	Polar night near the Arctic Circle	Midnight sun near the Antarctic Circle
Festivities	Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, and winter markets	Christmas, beach holidays, summer festivals

Shared Universal Significance

Both hemispheres experience the solstice as a moment of seasonal transition marked by the changing relationship between the Earth and the Sun. For all, it is a reminder of the cycles of nature, the passage of time, and the connection between humanity and the cosmos. So enjoy this day as we mark the passage of time.

An optimistic future?

 Xmas is coming the goose is getting fat, 

Time to put a penny in the old man's hat. 

If you haven’t got a penny a ha'penny will do, 

If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!

Are you happy? 

It appears that as we age, we become more optimistic and happy according to a survey done in 2024/

The survey done by AARP in the fall shows that most older adults are optimistic about their future, with happiness increasing with age. As we move to the end of 2024 and celebrate Christmas focus on your sense of purpose and joy. The holidays allow us to engage in activities that bring fulfillment, such as spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and contributing to the community. These can help maintain our mental and emotional well-being, which is essential for maintaining a positive attitude.

Many of us are in good health, however the presence of chronic conditions or the fear of chronic conditions is common. I had/have a heart problem which I ignored for a long time because I put the symptoms down to just age. I was wrong. It's crucial to manage your health effectively through regular medical check-ups, following prescribed treatments and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eating nutritious foods, staying active, and engaging in preventive healthcare can significantly improve long-term health outcomes and ease concerns about ageing. Regular exercise, even light physical activity, can help with mobility, independence, and overall health. In the depth of winter, it is hard to do this, but it can be done, with the help of friends and family.

We are at an age when we are losing friends and family, so we understand that we need to strengthen our relationships with friends and family. Strong social networks are key to reducing loneliness and maintaining a positive outlook. We instinctively understand this as we get older so we take the time to actively nurture our relationships by engaging in community activities, joining social groups, and staying connected with loved ones. This is the time of year to build on and strengthen those supportive social circles that can enhance our emotional resilience and quality of life.

The survey found that many of us desire to live to 92, but we only expect to live to 85. It's important to acknowledge the realities of aging but also to take steps to maximize life expectancy. Staying physically and mentally active, managing health risks, and setting realistic yet hopeful goals for the future can help give us a sense of empowerment and resilience.

Ageing can be a time of discovery, creativity, and connection. During the holidays focus on the opportunities aging brings, embrace this time of year and see it as a chance to prioritize what truly matters. I recommend focusing on how to make the most of each stage of your life.

With nearly nine in ten older adults optimistic about their own future, you are not alone in feeling hopeful. This positive outlook can fuel resilience and motivation to embrace life fully. Celebrate small victories and savour the moments that bring you happiness.

Ageing involves inevitable changes, both physical and emotional. Stay flexible and open to new experiences, whether learning new skills, taking up a new hobby, or adapting to lifestyle changes. Ageing doesn't mean losing independence or opportunities—it's about finding new ways to thrive.

At this time of year, I encourage you to embrace life with optimism, adapt to challenges, and live life to the fullest, regardless of your health or the years ahead. Ultimately, while aging can bring uncertainties, it also offers unique opportunities for growth, joy, and fulfillment. By focusing on what you can do rather than what you fear, you can approach the future with confidence and optimism.

The road ahead is full...

I came across this quote by  Muriel Rukeyser  "All the poems of our lives are not yet made". When we retire, some of us want to continue to write the poems of our lives, but others only want to read the poems they have already written. Retirement is a time of reflection and renewal, a chance to honour the past while embracing the possibilities of the future. Yet, it’s easy to hold too tightly to what has been, forgetting that the road ahead is still full of untapped potential. I encourage you to embrace the following truth that all the poems of our lives are not yet made. There is still time to create, to grow, and to shape a legacy that reaches beyond the present moment.

The past is rich with lessons, memories, and meaning. It has shaped who we are, but it does not have to confine who we can become. Those wounds we carry, the laughter of youth, and the dreams we once held—they are not merely echoes; they are seeds. Each carries the possibility of growth, renewal, and creation. They call out to us, urging us to redefine peace in our lives and in the world around us.

Retirement is not the end of purpose but the beginning of a new chapter. We are the architects of its meaning. The young—our children, grandchildren, and all those who follow us—look to us for guidance, inspiration, and hope. The unborn—the future itself—waits for the stories we will create, the wisdom we will share, and the love we will leave behind.

This is the time to take the lessons of our past and use them to forge something beautiful. It’s the time to fight for the birth of new ideas, new connections, and new adventures. It’s the time to build meanings that resonate with the life we’ve lived and the dreams we still hold.

And yes, it’s the time to sing. To sing the songs of gratitude for all we’ve experienced, to sing of hope for what lies ahead, and to sing of love—for ourselves, our families, and the world.

Let’s embrace this season of life with open hearts and minds, knowing that the best poems are yet to be written. The stanzas we create now, with the wisdom of age and the fire of experience, can be the most profound of all. So let us listen to those cries from within and beyond, and answer them with courage, creativity, and compassion. The future waits for us to shape it—let’s make it extraordinary.

A Christmas Turning

In times of trial, we summon our might,

Seeking the spark in the depths of the night.
Memories rise like a soft, glowing flame,
Whispering strength as they call out our name.

Each resource, each image, forgotten but near,
Leaps to our side, casting shadows of fear.
This is the luck born of time well-prepared,
A fullness of self from the love that we’ve shared.

In crises of spirit, our needs intertwine—
For each other, ourselves, a hope to align.
We gather our courage, we call forth our will,
And slowly we turn, though the world may stand still.

The turning is quiet, or sudden, or long,
Yet love is the fulcrum that makes us grow strong.
When the ground feels unsteady, horizons unknown,
It’s love that reminds us we’re never alone.

This season of Christmas, amid all the strife,
We search for the meaning that anchors our life.
For the faith and the hope that imagination can find,
To surpass all the limits that tether the mind.

If something seems lost, let your heart understand,
Much is still waiting, close at hand.
Unfound, unspoken, but ready to start,
A gift of renewal, a song for the heart.

So, as you face struggles, let love be your guide,
The strength in your soul, the warmth by your side.
For Christmas brings turning, a moment, a way,
To gather the light and step into the day