Sunday morning took my breath away. We had a coating of snow overnight, which hugged the trees and branches and shimmered in the emerging sunlight. The sky was a brilliant blue color, and the birds were exuberant in their morning greetings. Such a bright announcement of moving out of Winter into Spring.
I recalled these words at the time of the winter solstice from Joyce Rupp.
“There is a tendency to want to hurry from autumn to spring, to avoid the long dark days that winter brings. But winter darkness has a positive side to it.
As we gather to celebrate the first turn from winter to spring, we are invited to recognize and honor the beauty in the often unwanted season of winter.
Let us invite our hearts to be glad for the courage winter proclaims.
Let us be grateful for the wisdom winter brings in teaching us about the need for withdrawal as an essential part of renewal.
Let us also encourage our spirits as Earth prepares to come forth from this time of withdrawal into a season filled with light.”
~ Joyce Rupp
Namaste
This is the first Winter I actually surrendered to the season instead of bemoaning the fact that it is Winter. I actually enjoyed the down times. I saw Beauty and was amazed. Yet now that Spring is springing, I rejoice that my favorite Season is here at long last. There truly is a reason for each season …. Beautiful image, Val. Much Love to you! 🌸
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SO wonderfu that you can embrace exacty where you are Amy! I’m with you though … I ove the Spring with al its possibiities! We are expectcing 70 degress on Wednesday. I’l be out in the yard for some cleanup!
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I’m bouncing around trying to get all done inside done because I will be out very soon in those gardens. Perhaps even tomorrow. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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Most of our snow is gone. It was pretty yesterday but discouraging as I am one of those who is ready for spring now. I’d love to see little flower buds peaking through. This week we are expecting some warmer weather and I will revel in it as long as it lasts.
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I’l be revelling with you on Wednesday Kate 💛
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Excellent reflections
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Thank you Derrick 💛
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Here in Oregon we have had snow overnight. Just waiting for it to be sufficiently light to see how much fell. Whatever we feel about the seasons what is almost beyond our imagination is how we are all chatting away on a beautiful planet. A planet in the Goldilocks zone. A planet that eventually saw the first signs of life and after millions of years allowed this old Brit to reflect on a snowy dawn!
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Love your reflection Paul 💛
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We’ve had more rain than snow this winter. Beautiful shot, Val.
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Thank you, Jill. It was a moment not to be missed. The snow is gone now and its drizzling …. Not as upifting that’s for sure!
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These words are beautiful that you have shared, as is your photo Val, a reminder that Winter allows us to rest, rejuvenate and replenish ready to take our next growth spurt into Spring..
Life in general has its winter moments, seldom do we see their darkness for what they teach us so that we can grow ever forward towards the light of our New Dawn..
Love and Hugs to you Val. ❤ 🙏🌈
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I love this refection Sue. Thank you 🌅💖
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💚
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So vital to be aware of how nature moves, I noticed waterfowl on the move yesterday, surely a sign of impending change
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Thanks VS. 💛 Change is defintely in the air …. the birds tell us so!
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Appreciating this moment no matter what is going on around us, is the answer. A great reminder Val 🌻🌈
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I loved my long winters in the Maine woods. The bright snow in the pitch of night as it gathered in drifts around giant granite boulders. The warm glow of lights in the cabin when coming in from a night ski. The kettle perpetually boiling on the woodstove (to keep moisture in the air – imagining that now in Hawaii’s tropical rains makes me smile). The ‘forced introversion’ of not being able to get out our 1/2 mile of driveway – being snowed in. The sunlight backlighting the jewels of ice-encrusted tree branches and limbs. Extraordinary stuff, wintertime. But ‘a time to every purpose under heaven’ strikes a chord as well. I love our Hawaiian life, and cannot now imagine going back to long winters. But in memory they remain rich and vibrant. Glad you’re enjoying yours, Val. ❤
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Loving where we are, and having rich and vibrant memeories sounds just right Bela. 💕 As my hubby would say “It doesn’t get much better than this!”
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❤️
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Beautiful reflection, Val. This January I felt for the first time we had a brief winter here in FL…and enjoyed it. Right now it’s spring weather and it doesn’t get much better…
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Smiling … Enjoy the freshness and rising excitement of Spring Helen 💛
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Beautiful quote, Val. We are having rare snow outside my window today and the world is coated in white. I love the roll of the seasons. Enjoy the last of these winter days. 🙂
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Thank you Diana. Its a special time of year!
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I’m the odd duck. I love winter immensely. I hate to see it end. But then spring comes and I will love it as well. I do struggle with the summer heat but there is beauty in that as well. Everything has it’s beauty and it’s downside. We have had another lovely snow here in Oregon as Paul has pointed out. He’s at the central part while I’m up north but snow is so rare where I am more than where he is. I love it as long as I don’t have to shovel it. I like this poem by Joyce Rupp.
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Thanks Marlene! Im gald you are enjoying the season fully. There is beauty wherever we are 💛
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Beautiful…
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Thank you Dave 💛
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The title of this post grabbed my attention, as I am writing my second blog post on my new blog, The Path to Mindfulness, about being mindful in the changing of seasons from winter to spring. I really loved the poem you selected. It encapsulates mindfulness beautifully.
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So glad it resonated with you Matthew. Good luck with your new blog 🙏
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Great post. Looking forward to read more happy and pretty blogs from you! (also, followed. Follow back maybe ☺ ❤)
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💕
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Lovely sentiment and lovely words. Winter is under-appreciated.
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Thank you Ali 💛
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