By this time last winter I was suffering from full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s something I’d never experienced before, but the constant amount of snowfall, combined with never-ending stress during the holidays, set me over the edge. I was lethargic, moody, and just plain disinterested in everything. I’ve never wanted to move south in my entire life, but last year I was ready to go.
This year has been different. Our temperatures have been as low as I can remember, but my immediate area has been spared the constant snowfall that we suffered through last Winter 1. We’ve gotten snow, but there’s only been one day where I really have felt trapped in the house. I’ve only had to run the snow blower once because the few times I did remove snow it was just easier to shovel 2. I can take this. I don’t like it, but I can take it.
I know I’m in a different emotional space this year partly because I’m abel to see the beauty of the scenes around me. I’m finding the Frozen Delaware, and the snow blanketing to the ground, inspiring instead of antagonizing. This is a good thing. This morning, in fact when I noticed the Sun illuminating the snow I was inspired to march outside and take pictures. I had a sermon to finish, family to get to work and school, and numerous details which needed attention – but I spotted beauty and my entire being released itself to experience it. That is a greater joy than I could possibly describe.
