Looking at the winter season with a different lens

Raindrops delicately cling to red berries on a foggy autumn morning, highlighting the intricate beauty of nature.

Not many people would tell you that they love the winter months, me included. I would tell you that I love autumn but not winter. Who loves it when its dark, cloudy and cold? Definitely not me. Interestingly I know a few people who love the winter months and I touched on this in my October blog. I am happy that we celebrate Christmas – the birth of Jesus in December because if we did not have this event to celebrate it would be even more dull and dreary.

A few months ago, a friend gave me a different perspective on winter. In this edition I will be looking at the winter season with a different lens. I had never looked at winter in that way before. When you look around, it’s as if nature shuts down in winter. Most trees shed their leaves and become bare, it’s almost as if they are saying, “that’s it folks, good night.” Some creatures pack up and disappear until spring when its warmer temperatures. Small animals like hedgehogs hibernate during the winter. If you check BBC Bitesize you will learn more about this. Some birds for e.g. swallows migrate to warmer climates from the UK. All of this starts in autumn; September to November and by December most trees have shed all their leaves and some creatures would have migrated or hibernated for the colder months.

A single wet maple leaf displays its rich autumn hue.

The winter months look bare and dreary from the outside but what I found out from a good friend who had been reading up on this, is that underneath all this dullness and dreariness there is a lot going on. There is preparation taking place for the new season which would emerge in a few months. Ther are creatures underneath the dead leaves who are thriving because of this. The trees are not dead, life goes on, the roots continue to grow and strengthen underground. All the mechanics for what would be the new leaves and buds are still there just dormant. Nature needs this time of rest and conservation to come back stronger and more beautiful in the spring and summer months.

When I heard about this it paused to reflect and think, why do we as humans keep going all year round? Why don’t we take some time out for a rest or a break to reflect and conserve our energy during the winter? This would help us build our resilience and mental capacity. We all tend to take a break in the summer, go on vacation and have time out, not so much in the winter. Let’s look at winter with a different lens this year. Let’s take time out to rest and reflect. Let’s stop doing the things that take away our energy and triggers our stress levels. Yes I know we are thinking of the Christmas shopping and the cooking and the family and friends gathering for Christmas. What if we should pause and say let’s do something different this year whatever that may look like as long as we are taking a break from the rushing about and panicking because we feel that we are behind Christmas schedule.

Remember that Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus, He is the reason for the season let us keep that in focus. I know we celebrate by giving gifts, this year to take the stress out of the season why not agree with friends and families to give just one essential item or to a charity of their choice. Let’s use the time we spend rushing around from one shop to the other or searching online for the best deals to relax and recharge.

If you have to go out for food shopping remember to take your time, remember that Mary did not get the hotel but the stable served the purpose. If you don’t get the turkey, a chicken will still serve the purpose. Rushing around trying to get the best food is not good for your physical and mental health wellbeing.

Stay blessed and relaxed and put the reason for the season in focus.

Merry Christmas and  A Blessed New Year to you all.