Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga

Dearest,

Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga. How are you today? Have the experiences of the last few days energised you and left you feeling positive or have they all but drained you of any resilience? Whichever it is, I hope you can take a deep breath now. Inhaling the beauty surrounding you, no matter how small it may feel.

Along with Matariki and Puanga, this weekend is the shortest day of the year which technically means from here on in things get lighter and brighter for longer. But that's not how it feels. It always feels like it gets worse. The coldest days are to come, the most unsettled and stormy weather will arrive.

It got me thinking how it's the same when we are heading into the next thriving season of our lives. It's not like things just start improving - nope. It always seems to get really hard and you've really just gotta keep going through whichever storm is being flung your way. It will pass and the warmth of the sun will once again shine through.

One of the good things about storms is that they also blow all that rubbish away, enabling a fresh start. Nothing beats the days after a southerly storm blows through - the air gets fresher, the sea clearer - everything just feels lighter.

How have you celebrated Matariki? Is it something you even acknowledge? I'm loving finding out more about this celebration with so much of it resonating. There is a whakatauki Mai i te kōpae ki te Urupa, tātou ako tonu ai - from the cradle to the grave we are forever learning.

This year it's been understand Puanga. Rather than the whetū (stars) those who celebrate/acknowledge Puanga focus on the atua (gods) - similar themes with a different focus - or at least that how I currently understand it - still learning!

Do you have an adventure planned for this week? Perhpas it's going somewhere new, or enjoying the company of old friends? Whatever it is, Dearest, I hope you get to share how wonderful you are with the world around you and experience joy triggered by the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Take care Dearest, of yourself, of others, of your thoughts, of your actions and of our wonderful world.

You are worthy - always

Ngā manaakitanga xx