Getting outside in winter can be a bit of a struggle.
The weather can make it difficult to get around; if the will to go out is even strong enough to leave the warmth of home. It's tempting after the holidays to just bundle up and rush between heated spaces while we wait for spring.
What we can't see through our frosted windows is what makes winter such a special time. Watching the sun rise over a cold morning walk creates a feeling of being awake that caffeine could never imitate. Sensing your body reach equilibrium with the freezing outdoors makes the indoors seem that much warmer. The clear, clean sunlight that only comes out on the coldest day is brighter than any time during the summer.
It's not comfortable, but that's part of what makes it so important. Winter is a time for us to cleanse and strengthen ourselves, mentally and physically. The feeling of being alive against the cold and dark is what helps us thrive throughout the year.
What allows a tree to make it through the winter is the shedding of leaves and consolidation of energy in it's roots. Without that period of struggle, the tree becomes weak and sick during the warmer months.
Let's create a culture of winter that we can enjoy and celebrate together. Whether winter is a rainy set of weeks around the new year or if it dominates the calendar, we can all do something to make it special.
So grab some boots and put on a sweater; winter will be over before you know it.
