I love living in a country that has very distinct seasons. Spring, Summer and Fall can be brief but beautiful and Winter can seem to linger cold and still for too long. Have you ever had a winter of the soul? A time when life is bleak and you are in mourning for a stage of your life that has past.
For me that winter was a long bout of mono on top of my other chronic illnesses. Months turned into years of overwhelming fatigue, crushing brain fog and a great sense of loss for the work I no longer can do. Both my children left the nest and I was no longer able to assist my disabled brother and aging mother. I was required for health reasons to move out alone into a small bachelors suite while I struggled to focus on regaining a measure of my own health.
How did I counteract the bleakness? I read my scriptures and focused on finding joy. I added small things to my life that gave me joy such as listening to music or having fresh flowers in a vase. I learned to listen to my body and rest as much as it needed and worked on overcoming my resentment when my health didn't allow me to do the things I desired to do. I accepted the unconditional love and acceptance of my pets. I started a joy journal where I recorded small things I was grateful for in the day such as the beauty of the stars in the winter sky. I looked for inspiration in the lives of great people such as Helen Keller and Mother Theresa.
I still struggle at times to see the colors, the beauty in everyday life but now I have an arsenal of joy starters to counteract the bleakness. Here is a joy starter to share with you. The following is a link to a motivational movie showing beautiful photos and inspirational quotes on how to find joy in your life. http://www.simpletruths.tv/land.html
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