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“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer,” wrote French philosopher and author Albert Camus.

I love this saying. For me, it means finding the spirit of summer even during blustery winter days and harsh COVID-19 constraints in the city. Where do you find the spirit of summer?

I find it in cross-country skiing, skating, and walking in nature. I also find it curling up with a good book, drinking my morning café au lait, inspiring music, spending time with a good friend, and writing. I hope you are keeping your spirit of summer alive.

I believe it starts by taking care of yourself and listening to what you truly need. And it’s often the small things that add up in your day and life. The cup of tea when you’re weary, soaking in a hot bath, listening to inspiring music and dancing if you feel like it—why not? Or bundling up for a walk and looking up at the sky. I’ve found that looking up at the sky is important. It is a reminder that there is a world out there, more than you and your current issues. For me, it’s often instantly expansive, opening my heart and mind.

“You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather,” says Buddhist monk Pema Chodron.

It’s also for me about eating foods that fuel my spirit, whether for comfort or fun, but ideally a bit of both.

Columnist Caroline Ishii finds mindful moments outside while cross-country skiing in Ottawa. Photo credits: Caroline Ishii.

Lunar New Year

The year didn’t start as we had expected or hoped, with stay-at-home measures and disappointments related to COVID-19.

This year, Feb. 12 is the Lunar New Year, commonly referred to as Chinese New Year in North America. The Lunar New Year is not only observed in China. It is celebrated across several countries and territories in Asia, including South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and Tibet. More than 1.5 billion people celebrate Lunar New Year, making it one of the world’s largest celebrations.

The Lunar New Year date changes every year, typically falling between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 annually. This is because it is based on the traditional lunisolar calendar, regulated by the moon and sun cycles. Japan used to celebrate the Lunar New Year. During the Meiji Era, Japan moved towards westernization. It adopted the Gregorian calendar, with the new year beginning on Jan. 1.

The Lunar New Year is a time for new beginnings and wishes for fortune, happiness, and health. Regardless of where we live and what calendar we follow, we can start the year again. We can start or restart almost anything, at any time, although our minds may tell us it’s too late, we’re too old, or we might fail.

Shoshin (Beginner’s Mind)

I love the concept of shoshin or “beginner’s mind” in Zen Buddhism. It refers to experiencing life in a way that is unburdened by the past and by previous knowledge. It encourages us to start afresh wherever we are, with an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of perceptions. We can have shoshin from one year to the next and from one breath to the next. COVID-19 is hard on us, but we can be incredibly hard on ourselves, too, speaking from personal experience.

Here’s the secret I think we all know but are afraid to admit. There is a child within us all, even though we may become older in outer physical appearance. It’s never too late to find this child. They are waiting for us.

Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and you will remember. I hope you will find them. This child lives in the present, finds adventure in new days, and is excited by the smallest things.

The great naturalist, Rachel Carson, said in her book, The Sense of Wonder, “If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over all children, I should ask that her gift to each in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.”

Happy Lunar New Year!

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THIS ARTICLE WAS REPRINTED FROM NIKKEI VOICE’S FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE. SUBSCRIBE OR DONATE TODAY TO HELP SUPPORT OUR NEWSPAPER.