The Lessons of Winter

I look out my window to the melting snow.  Just traces remain of white beauty that covered the ground only days before, transforming the yard into a wonderland of pristine white.  I see a bird happily playing in one of the feeders.  No longer in a rush to gather what last little bits of food it may find in a time of uncertainty, but instead leisurely nibbling in the bowl of seed, taking the time to look around as it feeds.

I watch the melting snow change.  I see it saturate the ground leading to a number of trees tipping over even more as their roots, already unstable from the blizzard a few weeks ago, finally slide a little more out of the safety of the earth.  Soon these trees will completely fall.  Then they will have a new purpose as firewood or homes for the wild animals.  Either way, they will begin life anew. Changed, but no less important.  This is an important truth. All is change. Nothing ever stays the same. This is not a good or bad thing.  It simply is

What is winter?  It is a time of rest before life begins anew.  It is preparation for transition.  It is nature readying itself to awaken from its slumber, slowly blinking its drowsy eyes at the glowing sun. Many do no see this, or perhaps they simply choose not to.  Most people are busy complaining about the cost of heat or the annoyance of not being able to go out and do things.  Kids are cranky, sometimes adults are too.  As a culture, we have learned to hate the winter because it is annoyance in our so busy lifestyles.  We have lost sight of the lessons and gifts that winter has to offer.

This is the time to reevaluate our lives and figure out what we want to change.  My own life is changing drastically.  I don't think there is a single aspect that has not been affected in the last few months. I'm learning there are things in my life that must be allowed to end and be buried with acknowledgement and farewell.  Other things must be carefully tended and nurtured so that they may grow.  The challenge is to determine which is which.  Every choice we make, no natter how seemingly insignificant, will change our lives.  Sometimes in small ways. sometimes in drastic ways.  We have no way of knowing which at the time.  And so we go on about our lives, blissfully ignorant of the numerous times each day we change our path and future.

So here I am watching the melting snow.  I think of choices recently made and how my life has changed so drastically because of them.  One little thing was a catalyst for complete life-altering change, yet it seemed so insignificant at the time.  As I think think I can't help but wonder, what will today choices bring?