Winter’s Hope
Provided By The ICPA
The longest night of the year, the winter solstice, is followed by the return of the light. Gradually, the sun begins to shine longer each day, bringing a new sense of hope. We have walked out of the darkness of autumn, and this hope for the future is something to lead us through the coldest days ahead.
With cold weather and dim light sticking around for winter, we can find creative ways to bring more warmth and light into our lives. Hot baths, candles, string lights, fireside chats with warm blankets, sauna, hot drinks, soup, and uplifting reading material are all some great ways to cultivate peace in this dark half of the year.
Winter asks us to balance between slowing down and keeping joyful connections with others alive. It is the perfect season for a book club, craft night, or a potluck and games. Children seem to have boundless energy even in winter, and it continues to be beneficial to get outdoors regularly.
Birdwatching is a favorite winter activity, and hiking can offer breathtaking scenery with a different kind of stillness than any other time of year, with geese overhead and snow crunching underfoot.
The bare trees offer a broader view of the skyline for stargazing, and owls are especially active in the late winter evenings.
By February-March, depending on local temperatures, the sap is rising in the trees, and several different tree species can be tapped to make syrup for a tasty winter project.