Winter Blues

Is it Winter blues, end of the year reflections, Winter solstice changing season, or Christmas season emotional memories? Maybe all the above. It is time for reflection. The days are short, dark and cold. Hibernation of staying inside by a warm fireside with twinkle lights to warm the soul. It is easy to get deep into self thoughts, memories, reflections of Christmas past, the past year which all can waken emotions in our hearts. Spending a little time with reflections is good and normal. The everlasting snow storm after snow storm this early in the season is not normal for us. We usually have a few small flurry storms any time from early November up until Christmas. Typically in our area, everyone wishes and "dreams for a white Christmas", which is usually 45 degrees and rainy wet. The snow storms in December also typically consist of wet snow that is warmed up and washed away in a day or two. This is another, "not typical year". Snow started falling before Thanksgiving and continues to stick around. The yard is buried in white ( not dusted), and by looks of the forcast it is here to stay ( and more coming). It is not even Winter solstice yet.....we are a day away. I guess this year Winter solstice can bring joy in knowing it marks the shortest day of the year so after it passes....the days will grow.

At the first of the year for 2022 when in January it was a fresh start, playing a fun game to "look ahead what the new year could bring", I found my words for the forcast year. Change, Strength, Purpose and Miracle; these were my profound new beginnings for 2022. Looking over the past year with reflection on this snow bound day, I think of my past year and my "words".

Change, change happens every day and all around us. I feel very in-tuned with natures constant changes. Everything from weather and daylight how each day brings even the smallest of changes. When we get used to something, it will change. We really see the seasonal change from the cold winters with still and quiet life to the blossom and awakening of Spring ( my bears wake up!). Summer is about growth, planting that blurs straight into Fall. Back to retreat of wildlife in hibernations for Winter. Except we do have late Fall the return of the migration of Bald Eagles. Nature constantly changes all around us and so do our daily lives. This year we had to say goodbye to our sweet pet, Shasta of 11 1/2 years. But Lucy has come into our lives, full of vibrance and energy. Forgetting the energy a puppy has, which does make me laugh thinking of my next word, strength.

It has taken some inner strength to start life over with a energetic puppy. The training, mischief and endless energy a puppy brings into a quiet retired home. Strength to also feel the changes within and aging. Suddenly I wonder, "am I feeling my age, or has this new puppy aged me?". Either way it does take great strength to deal with change. Some days with retirement, having new aches and body pains, our minds search for a "bigger purpose", my third word for 2022.

Continue to learn from life from our dogs, "Its not about catching your tail, its the fun of chasing it"

Thing of the movie, "its a wonderful life", purpose, we all have purpose. Purpose is not always a grand adventure, the little things in life give us purpose and meaning. As life changes, so does purpose. Live life with simplicity and feeling grateful for all the blessing great and small; then you will find purpose. Don't get wrapped up trying to find a bigger purpose and miss the joys of the simple small every day things. Then the joy the small things bring, will bring purpose. Which leads to "miracle", my last of meaningful words.

"Appreciate every moment of your life, one day you will wish you had more time"- Roger Lee

A miracle also does not have to be a major Earth shaking event. There are miracles around us every day. So you can live your life two ways, waiting for a miracle or seeing how everything around you is a miracle. The colors that briefly kiss the morning in the sky with a blaze of pinks then fades away so many people miss the moment. This is a miracle. The songs a bird creates as it communicates to the family of birds around them, the music is a miracle. If you don't think so.....stop in the start of a morning and sit to listen or go down the river and listen to the eagles communicate up in the trees. What about a flower that hibernates deep under the ground and is buried for months in snow can reach for the sunshine through the soil and blossom a beautiful flower? How can a bear ( or any other wildlife), know its territory, know when its time to return to the clearing where the wild berries are ripe to eat? Those eagles mate for life and return in migration same time every year and know when the salmon are spawning and find the same nest. Miracles are all around us every day, don't be too busy or looking for something bigger and miss what is right now in front of you.

"When you work hard to think you reach the top, stop and take time to enjoy the view"- why would you climb a mountain to not stop at the time and breathe?

So as winter has made its way in, pushing in early according to the calendar, it is a reminder, we are not incharge. Winter brings its own miracles, just look at the tiny snow flake. There are even miracles blanketed in snow. As early winter blues can try to set into my heart, there is faith. Faith in knowing, winter won't last forever. A year ends and another approaches. Every day is filled with:

Change

Strength

Purpose and Miracles.

Always keep the Faith and the upcoming new year will bring inevitable change, so hold your strength . If you realize everything has a purpose then you will see all the miracles. This will give you the strength to face the changes and challenges.

"The secret to a happy life is balance. Nothing in excess but enough in everything"- unknown