Just keep walking

There are the pretty days of winter, when the snow falls so gently and covers the earth with a beautiful blanket of snow. There are the adventurous days of winter where we bundle up in our coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots in order to find enjoyment on.a snow-covered hill with a sled in tow. There are the cozy days of winter when it's too cold to venture out anywhere, so we make a hot drink, curl up with a blanket, and sit by a hot fire to stay warm. There are the hopeful days of winter when we've been cooped up for days, and then we see the sun shine and begin to melt all the snow. 

But then there are the dreary, foggy days that have nothing to brag about other than a damp cold that nobody wants to be out in, and nothing but gray, foggy skies to cloud our vision for what is ahead. The lack of color and sunshine can dampen anyone's normal cheerful mood, and the lack of clarity can bring a real sense of gloom. 

Not much to take a picture of on a day like today, but I took the picture anyway. And I still put my walking shoes on, bundled up with an extra layer, zipped up my rain jacket, and tied my hood over my head to block the cool breeze from blowing in my ears. 

Seasons are like that. There are days when we can find beauty to appreciate, see the silver lining, or figure out a way to make the best of things. There are days when we give ourselves a break and allow our minds and bodies to get some much needed rest and relaxation while we wait for brighter days ahead. There are days we smile with relief when we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and our hearts stir with renewed enthusiasm. But there are also those cold, damp, dreary days that can threaten to steal our joy and just make the future look bleak, foggy at best. 

Those are days that are much more emotionally unbearable than physically. It's not too cold to get outside. In fact, we don't even need all that much extra gear to bundle up in. Perhaps an extra layer, a pair of gloves, a rain jacket, and something to cover our head. We're not going to freeze (or sweat), nor are we going to get drenched in any kind of downpour. They are the days we need to just "pull up our pants", zip up our jackets, and push ourselves through. Through the mundane, the clouds, the fog, the depression, the lack of clarity, etc.

Be present, don't give up, and just keep walking. Every step counts. Every step matters. The fog will eventually lift so we can see the road ahead more clearly. If we didn't have gray days like today, we wouldn't know how to fully appreciate the sunshine when it does come back around.