In New Zealand it is winter. We are approaching the longest day and to be honest, while it’s dull and grey some days, it’s nothing compared to some countries in winter. New Zealand winters are tame as. Thinking in terms of emotional health, I really struggle in winter. I need the sun, and lots of blue sky. While I enjoy the rain and being inside in the warm, soup and a warm bed, winter really challenges my spirit. I am not the kind of guy who has to be doing stuff, so the still aspect of winter isn’t what effects my emotional health, its something with the light and the mood of the earth in winter.
I have moments hanging out the washing where I feel the sleepiness of the earth, that stillness in the trees as they sleep, the grass slowing down, in fact everything is slowing down, thoughts and feelings, the whole of creation is wanting to sleep.
In these times when we are prone to perhaps feeling down about life due the seasons, it is good to do some activities or seek things that will refill our emotional tanks. Eating well and maybe a vitamin D top up can really help. We also need to extend some kind of grace to ourselves in this time. It will pass, it is a natural rhythm. We can harness that and enjoy the downtime (excuse the pun) as our bodies rest for a busy summer. Tis a great time to read and have a creative inside project for those rainy and home-bound days.
