The winter solstice will occur at the same time all over the world today, and at 5:23 p.m ET.   Why celebrate?  It’s the shortest day of the year, the end of darkness and the beginning of light.

The winter solstice has  been celebrated from ancient times throughout the world.  Why is it a cause for hope in this modern world of ours?  For many,  it means the end of all the holiday worries and madness.  You’ve baked yourself silly making Christmas cookies.  You’ve stressed out over pleasing  each and everyone on your holiday gift list.  The tree is up, and the kids are coming for Christmas.  When that’s all over, it’s time to start thinking about #1 again.

You can open your seed catalogs and  start thinking  about your spring garden.  You needn’t feel guilty about getting a massage, a new hairdo, some new clothes, and maybe get started with a  fitness/weight loss program.  It’s all about you in January and that feels pretty good.  You have a few more months to get yourself back in the shape you were before you got so worn out over the holidays.

Now is the time to enjoy indoor activities such as sewing, painting, writing, and crafting.  Make a scrapbook. Sew some new slipcovers.  Get out those art supplies and paint  a picture.  Enjoy the peace that comes from sitting in a warm house and watching the snow fall.

You don’t have to worry about last minute meals.  There’s nothing so delicious and fragrant as a pot of vegetable soup.  Just open a can of V-8, and pour it into a big pot;  throw in some beef cubes, dice up a few potatoes, carrots, and whatever vegetables you like—maybe some cabbage.  Let it simmer all afternoon, warm up some crusty bread, and you will have a supper that’s low in calories and high in nutrition.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice tonight!