{"id":771,"date":"2023-02-10T08:25:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T13:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/onemomentofjoy\/?p=771"},"modified":"2023-02-10T08:25:14","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T13:25:14","slug":"soulgrowthandwinterlessons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/onemomentofjoy\/2023\/02\/soulgrowthandwinterlessons\/","title":{"rendered":"The Unexpected Winter: Lessons in Soul Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

The Unexpected Winter: Lessons in Soul Growth<\/strong><\/h1>\n It has been a strange season here in the Northeast.\u00a0<\/span>By this time in years past snow has covered our driveways, our sidewalks and decorated skies with the fluffiness of snow.\u00a0<\/span>However, as I sit in my office on the 18th floor overlooking the Hudson River, I have yet to see the reminiscence of a snowflake down below.<\/span><\/p>\n Freezing days immediately followed unseasonably warm mornings.\u00a0<\/span>Occasionally, skies have been filled with grayness and the waters below have tossed, storm-like with anger.\u00a0<\/span>Winter has had a lot to say this year, presenting us with more of the unexpected than the familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Listening to Nature\u2019s Lessons<\/h2>\n I usually learn some of my best soul lessons from nature, and this winter has rendered me a constant student.<\/span>The anticipation for many sunless days, and clouds of darkness above has transformed into moments of gratitude and hope.<\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps the universe, or a power much larger than myself, commanded nature to offer us extra light.<\/span><\/p>\n The world is not a calm place these days, chaos is all around;\u00a0<\/span>Yet this winter has gifted me with the opportunity\u00a0<\/span>to absorb more warmth, witness bright skies and gather moments of faith.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Making Room for Soul Growth<\/h2>\n Welcoming the unfamiliar allows room for much soul growth.\u00a0<\/span>Endless opportunities can appear like presents that have been waiting to be unwrapped.\u00a0<\/span>For every moment of winter blues, one can invite their heart to call upon the glorious glistening skies of the day before \u2013 a<\/span>\u00a0lesson I place with great admiration and gentleness in the schoolroom of my soul.<\/span><\/p>\n May this season open the rooms of our soul to the gifts of unexpected opportunities that await us.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Susan P Lax-A Winter Sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Morning Inspiration<\/strong><\/h2>\n When the weight on my soul interferes with my breathing, I find nature.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When sounds of iniquitous words echo in the land, I find nature.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n When my heart needs a rest from the uncertainty of our times, I find nature<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n When the unseemly fights it\u2019s way to become reality, I find nature<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n When humanity\u2019s shared beauty struggles to be seen, I find nature.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n When I need to be reminded of the power a voice holds, I find nature.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n In her beautiful embrace nature sustains me.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Assuring a fresh breath, feeding my courage.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Gifting my soul with excitement and strength to reach higher.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Today rest in the arms of what sustains you most.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n If you liked this article,\u00a0sign up<\/a> for my newsletter, Morning Inspiration !<\/strong><\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to learn more about my book, A Heart\u2019s Landscape<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Or join me on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n To read more of my regular contributions on\u00a0 Patheos, \u00a0click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Unexpected Winter: Lessons in Soul Growth It has been a strange season here in the Northeast.\u00a0By this time in years past snow has covered our driveways, our sidewalks and decorated skies with the fluffiness of snow.\u00a0However, as I sit in my office on the 18th floor overlooking the Hudson River, I have yet to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4768,"featured_media":768,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[291,294,240,288],"class_list":["post-771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-nature","tag-seasons","tag-soul","tag-winter-blues"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Unexpected Winter: Lessons in Soul Growth | Susan P. 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