Can you make new tracks?
It’s been snowing for weeks here in southwest Michigan. And while dangerous to be driving in it, the snow itself is beautiful, bringing to mind the term “winter wonderland.”
What also comes to mind is the Native American teaching about winter, snow and making new tracks:
[quote]“The white of snow represents purity, and when snow comes we say it covers your path. If you have had difficulties in your life, all that’s covered up – you begin to feel good and sound again, and you can make new tracks.” Bear Heart in The Wind Is My Mother
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The gifts of winter
Winter is the time of introspection, going inward and absorbing the teachings and lessons of the previous year.
But, as Bear Heart said, if there were difficulties, they can be buried under the snow. Don’t dwell on them, get ready for spring and moving forward.
There can be a fine line between denial [not always healthy] and looking to the positive [usually healthy].
It’s all about where you choose to put your focus. Remember that wherever you put your attention, you’re likely to get more if it.
Where do you want to put your focus? On life’s problems? Or the solutions? Either way you’ll get more!
Even when I’m feeling a bit down, I try to focus on my blessings. This morning I took a shower and felt deep gratitude for hot, running water. Nothing else mattered in that moment in time.
Make new tracks in any moment
You can start over and make new tracks any time:
- Each morning,
- The start of each week
- The start of a new month
- A new year.
- A new season [solstices and equinoxes]
- New school year in September
- Native Americans focus on new beginnings and blessings on the New Moon
- Or arbitrarily just pick a time, like 11:43 am, and declare that this is the moment your life will start anew.
At workshops and conferences, Bear Heart loved to give people schedules in Amtrack time. “We’ll have lunch at 12:37 pm.”
He did that because he felt people are generally too hung up on clocks and sticking to schedules. So he liked to challenge their expectations and shake things up a bit.
Another time of new beginnings is Sunset. In Native American ceremonies, and even in the bible, a day starts with the sunset and ends at the next sunset. Ponder that.
To me it means we always come out of the darkness and into the light. The positive outcome always prevails.
Even though everything here in the North is stopped by the weather, the warmth and sun of spring really will come again.
But you don’t have to wait until then, you can make your new tracks today.
Molly Larkin is the co-author of the international best-seller “The Wind Is My Mother; The Life and Teachings of a Native American Shaman” and other books on health. She is passionate about helping people live life to their fullest potential through her classes, healing practice and blog at www.MollyLarkin.com
