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enkhjargal
October 2009 
What IS it with January?
Posted on Jan 11th, 2009
by 
Sandra
Sandra
I keep checking the calendar to see if January's over. I keep thinking we are nearing the end only to find out that we are not even half-way.
It seems to be a 'difficult' month. I know several people going through depressions, hard times and the like. Three people close to me (in one way or another) have died. Admittedly two of old age, but one from a suicide. Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of a dear friend, (neither a suicide or from old age).
I personally can't seem to get up much enthusiasm for anything. I've been sick since the 31st of December, and know of several others in the same boat. I do seem to be getting better, and am a little more enthused otherwise I wouldn't be writing this blog. Other than that it's pretty much 'going through the motions'. I"m fine, it's not a big thing at all, but it does seem to be an all-over thing, at least for many.
I did a quick search and found some statistics for the late 90's - (American).
I'm also wondering if a general low feeling is catching.
New Scientist published an article on the 30 December last year called "How your friends' friends can affect your mood" - the implication being that it's not just your friends or people you know who can affect you.
It seems to be a 'difficult' month. I know several people going through depressions, hard times and the like. Three people close to me (in one way or another) have died. Admittedly two of old age, but one from a suicide. Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of a dear friend, (neither a suicide or from old age).
I personally can't seem to get up much enthusiasm for anything. I've been sick since the 31st of December, and know of several others in the same boat. I do seem to be getting better, and am a little more enthused otherwise I wouldn't be writing this blog. Other than that it's pretty much 'going through the motions'. I"m fine, it's not a big thing at all, but it does seem to be an all-over thing, at least for many.
I did a quick search and found some statistics for the late 90's - (American).
"In 1995, January had many more deaths than any other month (220,000). It was followed by March, April, and December. (February would have been second if it had had 31 days instead of 28). The month with the least deaths was September (178,000), followed by June, August, and May. The top day for death in 1992, the most recent year for which daily data are available, was January 3, when 7,422 Americans died. That is about 25 percent more than an average day in 1992."
I'm also wondering if a general low feeling is catching.
New Scientist published an article on the 30 December last year called "How your friends' friends can affect your mood" - the implication being that it's not just your friends or people you know who can affect you.
"it is becoming clear that a whole range of phenomena are transmitted through networks of friends in ways that are not entirely understood: happiness and depression, obesity, drinking and smoking habits, ill-health, the inclination to turn out and vote in elections, a taste for certain music or food, a preference for online privacy, even the tendency to attempt or think about suicide. They ripple through networks "like pebbles thrown into a pond", says Nicholas Christakis, a medical sociologist at Harvard Medical School in Boston, who has pioneered much of the new work."
I recently had a skype chat with my brother who has moved to Brazil. He lives here. He seemed pretty chirpy. Is it a sun thing? I felt a bit chirpier after chatting to him so maybe the above theory is true. Either way I plan to be somewhere warm next year.
Music cheers me up. Here is a video from Rudi Oppermanns multicultural Klangwelten show. Featuring Enkhjargal, hong Yü, Korean drums, Husseine Kili and RO.
Music cheers me up. Here is a video from Rudi Oppermanns multicultural Klangwelten show. Featuring Enkhjargal, hong Yü, Korean drums, Husseine Kili and RO.
Klangwelten 07 / Stream of Gold
Access: Public
Sandra, I used to hang around with a sweet friend in medical school, and every January we would price tickets to Tahiti….. it is the cold, the no light….. the month that requires either a geographical cure, a splendid new lover, both, or the alternative: a trip to the great beyond for a refit.
I am just back from a lovely ski…..everybody is out today in the late afternoon light, dappled orange and waiting for the full, beauteous moon to arise and preside. We all are frosted with frosted eye lashes and cheek hairs…. and Rosie even did a somersault off a snow cliff. But now, it seems that we need hot red wine with honey and large bowls of stew or we will immediately fall of the edge of despair again. the transition from glory to gloom takes only seconds…… January… alas, year after year, it is the same.
Sandra…when we feel bad we feel bad…lol…
i tend to think that sickness, and/or feeling bad,is our inner alarm system, telling us to slow down and pay attention to something…mind habitually goes off to the races…while i do think sunshine and positive thinking can help us…inner reflection and acceptance can open into myraid potential for energy to manifest…
take care of you my friend…i have had two recent losses as well within family…as well as suicide, but not as recent…this alone can cause us to question so much…but it can also cause an opening up of appreciation for now…and a deeper level of understanding that life is to be lived and enjoyed…much love and joy to you, always, *
I know January can be a rough month for many folks. I hope it gets better for you soon…it must be tough to feel sick for so long. Every winter I get kind of cabin feverish sometime during these cold & gray months and have to figure out a trip to warmer sunnier climes. Thinking it’s about time to start planning…. Do you think you could take a trip somewhere?
I think it may be a sun thing. I was feeling super blah last week/slightly down in the dumps due to the short days + cold weather here in NJ. I then took a trip to West Palm Beach, FL. Within a couple of hours, due to the sun/warm weather, I felt like a new person! I think your plan to be somewhere warm next year is a good one…
For me December is the hard month because the days keep getting shorter and every year I am convinced the sun is going away and won’t ever come back. I think that in December most people are so distracted by the holidays and they don’t stop to notice the effect of darkness, then January comes and it hits.
I am greatly affected by SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some people just need more light. This year I am doing a bit better because I’m meditating and taking tryptophan, but I’ll am still dreaming of being a snowbird because winter just sucks.
Great music!
CHIRP !!!!!!!!!
Now for the less important parts of my comment:
Yeah, the light thing is really serious. And we really do go into hibernation in winter, and people often get sick to the extent they try to function beyond their winter capacities.
I hope you are feeling better now !!
I cope by noticing Spring. Here in Seattle the daffodils are already an inch up, so here on January 11th, Spring is beginning, by my definition !!!!
I’m not experiencing the kinds of difficulties you mentioned, in fact, things are looking up for me and most folks I know. However, I totally notice and know and experience that vibes, moods, are contagious. We are all basically vibrating energies. Vibrations travel through space. We are vibrating out many things, including our moods and attitudes, all the time, invisibly, affecting everyone for miles around, maybe even everywhere in the Universe. We are not consciously aware of how much we are affecting, and affected by others, but we “broadcast” all the time, and the waves fill space, just like radio waves, TV waves, phone waves…..
It’s quite a sobering responsibility, when one realizes that. Quite an incentive to be our highest, most authentic self. Not forcing “positive thinking,” but doing the inner psyche-cleaning that reduces suffering and negativity, and encourages a thriving, flourishing livingness !! (to coin a word)
When I find the ideal warm clime, I will be there. So far, I haven’t found a warm place with no serious downsides, and now after 25 years I can’t leave my life/network here in Seattle….. So, it’s gotta be winter trips, as per the suggestions above !
Warm and sunny hugs,
OM Bastet
mmm…. what a lovely gathering! time to get out the mulled wine…(or as it’s morning here maybe a cuppa darjeeling?)
Kathy - we had thought of going to Morocco for a short holiday (would
be our first in years) but the upcoming house move put that idea on
hold. Now we are thinking of shipping our stuff from Toronto, (which
has been in storage for 7 + years) and if we do that will effectively
use up any holiday $$. But you never know… I’m scheming!
starlight - gosh don’t I know how I try to find ‘reasons’ for feeling
bad! Actually I don’t feel bad, just blah. I almost would rather feel
bad, something to grapple with…
Jw + Morningstar - definitely there’s a light aspect to all this. I do
try to get out most days but the light is pretty thin in this part of
the world. I’ve thought about getting one of those full spectrum panels
but never got round to it.
Om - yeah, I know there isn’t an ideal place or climate (at least so
far). Mind you in the hills around Bryron Bay in Australia was pretty
perfect ( even in hot summer there were cool nights). Yes to not
forcing positive thinking (ugh) and definitely yes to taking a look at
how I participate in whatever ‘is’.
On the January note… I forgot some other ‘dates’ - My father died in January (a long time ago); and interestingly I met my two of my husbands in a January!
Chirping @ you this morning! Whispering thoughts of cheer into your ear.
My Mom gets depressed every February. Even being self-aware, it hits her. The winter blahs and blues.
I hope you continue to feel better and I am so sorry about the losses you have suffered recently. A trying time, to be sure. Maybe your new house will cheer you up? Sending you love and sunshine!
well I just read that January the 19th is officially the most depressing day of the year ! I can’t say I’m feeling too cheery….. trying not to take it seriously.
SAD is definitely an issue. i hate cold weather. I am so gladI moved to Florida. I get sick a lot. I have other health issues-sickness, death, combined with lousy weather can easily = some form of depression. My family lost 3 people this year, but not in January. I think this depends on a lot of issues; if they all come at once, you are bound to feel stress. Most of you Gaians with your spiritual outlooks have a great advance on most people on handling these situations.
I know. dear Diane, you will be looking up real soon. this sometimes is the price you pay for caring TOO much.
January is a letdown; we have been preparing for Christmas, the light is diminishing-January comes-we must find something to keep us feeling up!
Much love.
I am hating january. do you think your brother will take me in?
Cindy… send us some of your Florida sunshine please!
Jenni.. YES, I am sure my brother would! He’s looking to buy/build a house… and he loves visitors! (I wrote a blog about him some time ago.. it’s here)
I felt a bit better this morning, maybe because of the huge feeling of joy coming from the US (and elsewhere I’m sure).
It is sunny, but sooooo cold. In the 20s tonight.
well, I can officially say it is the END of January. In fact, it’s totally over. Thank god for that. :-)