winter

Even in the dead of winter, trees still reach up to the ether in their surrendering.

Winter is not necessarily a time of sadness, but a gift of recharging, rest, and internal reflection. As their leaves fall to the ground, trees make the descent into dormancy, cultivating and storing sugar within for a springtime that they know always comes.

These leafless branches look eerily similar to the roots that stretch into the earth below. A reminder to take a closer look at the foundations we’ve spent the year building, and reassess where needed.

Trees aren’t the only masters of earth’s natural cycles; alligators burrow in “gator holes” along the muddy banks of the swamp, snakes huddle in their dead-leaf dens, and bats become grateful for the summer feasts stored beneath their skin.

Mother Earth thrives on the promise that death is an essential part of life, and if taken, shows us an opportunity for restful transformation. Even when the grief of seasons past feels so heavy and unending, she promises us again and again that the summer sunshine will return. Even in the dead of winter, the sun still hangs in the sky.

As it always does. Rest in that.

THE PRAYER

I face the dark with fearlessness and love, embracing the slow down as it eases in.

REMEMBER YOUR CONNECTION

꩜  Finding it hard to rest? Ask the Earth how she does it.

꩜  Recall winters past and how everything fell into place the following spring.

꩜  Make a list of the things you love about winter and going inward.