Living through the rhythm of the seasons is not always easy, is it?  Especially while winter seems so long. Even though is sometimes hard, we must listen to the wisdom of Nature.

Searching and finding strength while winter seems to settle into our lives is quite a challenge. 

When this happens, we must focus on the good we already have in our lives. The small, mundane things can bring us more happiness than we realize. 

The simple thing of waking up in the morning and seeing the sunlight is something many would love to be able to do, at least for one more day. Being alive is a gift. 

We all have passions we wish to explore daily and nurture ourselves while doing them. Let's explore them more than usual this season. It will surely keep us "warm".

For some, being able to hold a pen, and write is the greatest gift.
For some, being able to take a paintbrush and paint is the greatest gift.
For some, being able to take a coloured pencil and draw is the greatest gift. 
For some, being able to read is the greatest gift. 
For some, being able to sing is the greatest gift.
For some, being able to create with one's hands is the greatest gift.
For some, being able to write poetry is the greatest gift.
For some, being able to inspire others is the greatest gift.

Everyone has something to look for when morning comes. This act in itself is already a great achievement. 

We all find refuge and nourishment in what we are passionate about. While mid-winter has a hold upon us, at least we can focus and work on our most beloved passions. In addition, we can enjoy the small pleasures of life, which, unfortunately, nowadays, become a luxury. 

The simple thing of drinking a cup of our favourite warm drink is another gift we can be appreciative of this season. 
Enjoying a warm, comforting meal around the family table is a great gift we have this season. We spend more time together, and we are more appreciative of being so close.

Being out in nature, even for a short walk, helps us find gratitude for having a warm, comfortable home and get cosy while this season passes. 

While we try to be brave and move along our journey, our strength seems to fade sometimes, especially during winter. Rainy, windy, and stormy weather in some parts of the world seems to stay, and the end seems further away.

How do we move past it?  Always remember that all seasons come to an end. 

When life gets difficult, we are more appreciative when our situation improves. When we are down, we make more effort to get up every time. The repeated act of getting up every time builds resilience. We try to reach for hope when it seems there is none. We search for good memories subconsciously, because our bodies are very wise and search for inner resources. We always try to find the light (light candles, use the fireplace) when it is dark outside to compensate for the shorter days. 

By nature, when it is dark outside, we wish to see more light because we miss it.

We all have that light inside our beings, and when we don't see it, we try to find all the possible ways to reveal it. I believe winter always returns to teach us we must search for light and inner strength. I believe without it, we wouldn't be passionate and eager to continue our journey. 

I often meditate upon the arrival of snowdrops this month. The snowdrops are the first blooms in the middle of the winter. They are always blooming for one reason only. They seem so fragile, yet they bloom during the winter season to remind us that even if we seem fragile as humans, we have our inner strength that no one can take away from us only if we allow it.

So, what do you choose this mid-winter? Do you choose to find your inner strength and the beauty that comes along, or do you choose to "stay in the dark"? 

I am sure you choose the best part of your inner strength to guide you along until winter loses its grip. I hope you always find strength and beauty when everything seems so dark sometimes. 

We must find it, so we can bloom beautifully in the season of rebirth. As the sun always shines after rain, so is Spring, the gorgeous season that awaits our glorious bloom.