Since I grew up in a temperate part of Canada that rarely sees snow, you might think I would hate the winter, especially now that I find myself living in a part of Canada that experiences close to 6 months of wintery weather each year. In fact, when I first came to the Prairies, I did hate winter. It made me nervous and antsy. My favourite outdoor pastimes felt harder, and completing the most basic of life tasks required driving and trekking through slippery, icy snow. But, over time my feelings towards winter have shifted. These days, I find myself greeting the cold weather like an old friend. Joyfully, gratefully and lovingly.
After my first winter on the Prairies, I knew something needed to change. I was stir-crazy from having spent so many months avoiding the cold. I was desperate to get back outside. Finally, it occurred to me that I might be better off if I truly embraced the season. And for me, part of this meant I needed to find enjoyable ways to spend time outside during winter. Of course, this perspective is built upon the foundation of having a warm and secure home to return to after being out in the cold, and that is a real privilege, especially these days. It also rests on having the financial security to invest in proper winter outerwear. These are all blessings I do not take for granted.
So, the following winter, I continued going for runs and walks outdoors as the temperatures dipped, bundled up so snuggly that nary a cold breeze could find it’s way through my layers. I even learned to ice skate, and absolutely fell in love with it. The icy wind on my face rejuvenated me, clearing cobwebs from my mind and helping me notice how much beauty there is to be found in the frozen landscape around me. Sparkling crystals of snow in the morning sun. The bright red of winter berries, poking out from under snowy branches. A jackrabbit, winter white coat helping to camouflage it darting across an icy path. Flying across a frozen pond on ice skates. And the heartfelt pleasure of sipping a hot drink or huddling around a bonfire on a dark wintery night while laughing with friends and family.
The lengthy darkness of winter nights can be seen as blessing or curse – it all depends on perspective. Here on the Canadian Prairies, we get up to 17 hours of darkness a night in the depths of winter. But to me, that darkness holds a special magic, which brings me to another way I found to embrace the season for all it has to offer. Winter invites us to reflect on the year that has passed, to pursue quiet and creative hobbies, and to rest while we plan for renewal and growth in the coming spring. If we listen earnestly, I believe winter is a wise teacher. Winter reminds us to slow down, and to acknowledge we are still part of the environment we live in. We are no less impacted by the changing of the seasons than the creatures and plants who live around us. And to me, that is both beautiful and very much worth celebrating.
So, on this year’s Winter Solstice, I hope you will consider the benefits and wisdom this new season can bring into your life, if you are willing to open yourself to receive them. Spend some time breathing the cold winter air, appreciating the stark beauty of this time of year, and enjoying the cozy blessings of a long dark winter’s night.
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