Life lessons from a lifeless season
Winter, the season that succeeds autumn and precedes spring, is least cherished by a large chunk of the population, for it is accompanied by snow, cold weather, short days, and less daylight. Nature assumes an altogether different appearance. When there is snow, the distinction becomes impossible as the surroundings are rendered monochromatic. A departure from vibrant, tempting, and picturesque scenery becomes stark.
During this season, the temperature falls, and at certain places, it sometimes plummets to naught. As people face a series of problems ranging from economic to physical, it is mostly considered a season of hardships. Winter, like any other season, however, comes with its peculiar allure and provides nature lovers with some ideal lessons.
Scrupulous attention at the turn of seasons from autumn to winter has many lessons for all of us that can act as our guide to get the drift of life.
Appreciation is one of the many lessons winter teaches us. When a cold snap and wind chill touch us, it reminds us of the value of warmth. In winter, when we struggle to move out, roam freely, go on outings, and enjoy the company of friends, it makes us conscious of the importance that other seasons hold when we do what we want. When related to life, it teaches us to appreciate everything that brings us comfort, emancipation of sorts, and a sense of free will.
Winter exhorts us to 'look inwards'. In winter, trees are barren and devoid of leaves. Most of them neither produce food for themselves nor others. These no longer attract. While they seem dormant above ground, the underground root system is actively engaged in many vital functions. It is involved in growing, searching, and retaining nutrients to help the tree triumph through adverse winters and prepare it for the next season. We humans consume most of our time in ostentation. We put efforts into outclassing others in popularity, wealth, intellect, etc. But winter prompts us to shift our focus from people to our souls. It encourages us to reflect on whether we are prepared to deal with upcoming times or not. What preparations are we making to sail across the river of possible uncertainties? We exhaust our resources to impress people around us; do we possess anything that can be impressive in sight of the creator?
In the winter, tumbling and slipping are common. Very few of us would not have slipped on snow or icy surfaces. But, in most cases, we have gotten up unaffected and have not given up moving. And this is the lesson of this frosty season. The course of life can be full of challenges, pitfalls, and stumbling blocks that may impede you. Sometimes, you may even fall, but you should resurge by getting up and starting afresh.
Almost all of us see elegance in sophistication. We adopt a variety of ways to be elegant, which often carry negative implications. But winter punctuates the beauty of simplicity. Associated with winter are snow - painting everything white, almost achromatic bare trees, and an overarching grey sky. A kind of simple world is formed. In this simplicity lie elegance, purity, and austerity that no other season manifests. It presents a marvellous spectacle, making it incomparable, and concomitantly enjoins us to be simple in all matters. As simplicity is itself a beauty.
In winter, all the trees seem to be dead. But that is not true. They are just inactive, waiting for the proper and convenient season to rebirth and regrow. As spring arrives, they start a fresh journey with all their energy and gusto. Similarly, a specific situation might have pushed us into inactivity. We may be stuck in a hamster wheel, therefore, not reaching our goal or achieving anything. Winter insists that there is nothing to worry about. Do not lose heart. Wait for the right time. A time will come when all our activities will yield desirable results.
It appears that winter is about death. Everything loses charm and gets interred under snow. It becomes hard to think that there will be renewal. However, the seasonal cycle always proves us wrong. As spring ensues, nature resurrects and blossoms again. This beauty of winter offers us hope that our lives may be interrupted by a period of stagnation, despair, and adversity - giving us an impression of the end; nevertheless, it is not the end but a step towards a new beginning.
Even in harsh winters, the sun appears. Although clouds envelop it and attempt to hinder its light, its rays unstoppably reach the target with little difference in intensity. This phenomenon also has a few things to share. One, when there is gloom all around; there is always a ray of light and hope, which can assist us in navigating through the meandering path of life. Two, whatever the circumstances may be, like the rays of the sun, proceed and make your way in the world. If not today, tomorrow you will make an impact.
