Sunrise Monterey, California
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ~ Emerson
The sky is dark and overcast this morning as I step out for my morning walk. A damp, winter chill holds the streets in its grip, with autumn leaves rustling about my feet and a distinct winter gloom in the air. An approaching storm called the Pineapple Express is creeping into town, and it’s easy to feel uneasy, adding to the low spirits I’ve felt for not being able to get anything done.
The winter rains sprout fresh grass, and buds form on the tips of tree branches, a quiet turning. As I round the corner, a local family of three deer is snacking on the new greenery. Nothing appears to be happening, yet preparation is underway. The rest and gathering of strength for the new year, show patience, everything in time, the natural rhythm of the seasons. The signs of spring project the future, a new season filled with beginnings and optimism. There’s no rush to accomplish in the natural world. Even in the depths of winter, the planet is already leaning toward renewal.
The sky is beginning to lighten, joined by a chorus of chirping birds filling the air with life. From inside our heated houses, gazing out at the weather, it seems like we’re separate from this transformation, but the natural world was our first home. We evolved to follow the same rhythm, to rest and gather ourselves for a fresh spring, a turn of weather, the smell of damp soil in the warm sun. The Winter Solstice is nature’s promise, an almost imperceptible shift of renewal. And as I crest the hill, the sun breaks over the horizon, with clouds dissipating into white fragments, unveiling broad patches of blue sky.