The Ever Changing Face of Nature

First written & published 16th November 2020

As we enter winter nature takes on a whole new face, the trees become skeletons without their leaves, many plants are brown and withering away, the sky is often grey and wet; it almost looks as though life is stagnant, but look again and you'll see life flourishing under these new conditions, because winter isn't about death, it is simply change and regeneration. Many plants and animals go into hibernation until warmer days return, but they are not dead, just dormant, then there are plants like Mistletoe and Snowdrops that brighten up the bleak days – this is their time to thrive, they love the cold, damp days and don't even mind a drop of a snow.

People are like this too – we are all different and thrive at different times, personally I thrive in autumn and winter, I love the cooler days and the beauty of the autumnal colours, the magic of the sun reflecting off the ground frost, the magical wonderland that snow creates when it falls. Whilst many will be cosied up in their warm homes, I will be out in gloves and scarf, camera in hand, enjoying this new landscape that the turning of the wheel has presented.

The winter in our own lives can be like this, there needs to be quieter times where things can seem a little stagnant, but they are really just opportunities to conserve our energy and plant the new seeds of our next adventure, ready for the coming spring. Each season is a little different to the last, each with it's own benefits and down falls, and each perfect or challenging for different individuals everywhere. We should remember that life progresses in much the same way – it has it's seasons, it's challenges and highs but it is never stationary and no situations, even the most challenging ones, last forever.

Are you ready to begin planting new seeds? Because there is always life and always hope – even in the midst of winter x