What the Season of Winter Means to Me

I once thought of winter as a time of annoyance, anxiety, and discomfort. Having to warm up my car, shovel the driveway, the shortened days withholding my precious dopamine, and being so cold outside was not desirable. Expanding my perspective throughout my journey, I've learned that winter means so much more than what I had previously comprehended.

If we observe nature during this season, we can see that most living things are dormant during this time. Trees are resting, bears go into hibernation, the fish and the turtles go to the bottom of the waters to survive, and some of the birds migrate to warmer lands. In our lives, this can represent taking time to ourselves in peaceful solitude, self-reflection, and allowing a deeper understanding of our place in this world to come to us. This season can represent a sense of quiet solitude that is required to hear this inner wisdom within all of us.

Another perspective to explore is the struggles and setbacks that winter brings, and seeing how that can apply to our personal lives. A personal struggle can be hard to endure and work through, yet in the end, it presents an opportunity to build resilience and character. I've always seen the beauty in the struggles, and the growth that comes from suffering. The continuous cycle of suffering and renewal is cruel, yet necessary for a full appreciation of the beauty in all of life's phases.

I've always found the traditional indigenous medicine wheel fascinating. This sacred symbol represents many holistic beliefs of interconnectedness. The medicine wheel is a significant tool used in

balancing the emotional and spiritual parts of oneself and is used in many ceremonies and rituals. Many look to this magnificent symbol for guidance. The wheel is divided into four main sections, each represented by a color, animal, season, direction, and phase of life. The winter season in the medicine wheel represents rest, the end of a cycle, preparation for renewal, and introspection. This traditional wisdom is a blessing to learn about and explore.

We can apply the lessons winter brings to us in many ways by embracing the quiet and introspective nature of the season. Nature tells us to slow down and prepare for spring. In preparation, we can use this winter season to examine our choices, our environment, and our priorities. Our inner wisdom will come to us when we can learn to be quiet and in seclusion. There may be discomfort in this. However, that which brings us discomfort also has the most potential for positive change. Self-reflection and introspection are important tools to incorporate new lessons in our lives and prepare for new growth.

This is what winter means to me. What does winter mean to you?