Wintering

I've been walking this same route since last March. I watched the trees bloom and the green completely take over, I watched the leaves change & drop and the snow fall.

On my walk today I was thinking that I can't even remember what these naked trees looked like in Spring. Did they have flowers? When did their leaves come in? What were the colours and shapes of the leaves? I couldn't tell you, despite being intimately familiar with this walk. It made me think that maybe in Winter I am meant to be in Winter, and not pre-occupy myself with thoughts of the trees in Spring.

In many ways I believe that seasons are felt and not necessarily keenly observed. The energy of Spring feels hopeful, surrounded by budding life, birds chirping, and colour again after months of dark. The energy of Winter feels slow, cold, reflective. A time to turn inward and nourish the soul. I am committed to letting myself be present in Winter, to embrace the slow reflection. To go quiet, knowing that I am safe in the knowledge that there will be a Spring.

My well-worn trail, January 2021

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