"Rauhnächte - Time for Me", by W. Hartung / A. Stallka (Book)

"Rauhnächte", paperback by Anne Stallkamp and Werner Hartung - Time to pause and reflect!

The focus on the time "between the years" is experiencing a real boom. This book is a practical workbook. Each of the twelve nights of Christmas (and each subsequent day) is dedicated to a theme worth reflecting on and contemplating. Through meditative introspection and contemplation, we allow the past months to pass before our eyes and prepare ourselves for the coming new year.

This isn't about traditions and old customs; it's simply about our lives today and how we can better navigate them. For little known is the original quality of each of these twelve days: We lay the foundation for each new year between Christmas and New Year's by gathering ourselves and taking a little time each day to immerse ourselves in the specific quality of that time and reflect on an important life theme.

The first part introduces and explains the topics, such as "humility and devotion", "truth and clarity", "strength of the heart" or "taking care of oneself".

In the second part, the exercises, questions are posed for us to reflect on, and topics are addressed that are relevant to the quality of each of the twelve nights. First, we look back, reviewing the previous month (first night = January, etc.). Exercises are suggested for each day. Then there are questions related to the day's theme, such as: "How do I manage my time?"

Furthermore, one looks at what special signs or events the day brought; possibly omens for the corresponding month of the coming year?

Finally, the day's topic is examined with a view to the future, for example: "How do I want to spend my time in the future?"

The book itself has space for notes; so you can create your own "Rauhnächte diary". In the brief pause between exhaling and inhaling, in the rhythm of the year, I have "time for myself".