Finding Bliss in the Depth of Winter
I love the words of Albert Camus: “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
I remind myself of this every winter in Montana. I realize that his words are more metaphorical, but with Montana winters being as they are, I like to take them more literally.
It’s harder for me to find the beauty in lady winter. She’s so cold and harsh. My skin doesn’t like her, for one thing. It gets dry and uneven and itchy. All I want to do is eat comfort food and rest. It’s harder to get motivated for exercise, which is hard on me and my dogs. But, I think the main issue is that it lasts so darn long! I really enjoy it for a few months, but by the time February rolls around, I’m SO over it.
One thing that always helps me find my bliss in the depth of winter–the sassy old broad–is getting outside despite the weather or temperature. Matt and I went on a walk/hike on one of our chilliest days and while it was hard to take the first step, once we did, we did not regret it. We were energized after and agreed to try to get out more.
I miss being in nature during the winter. Most of my summer days are spent outdoors in one form or another, but the cold weather restricts my outdoor time.
I miss walking along a narrow path and being surrounded by trees, sunlight peeking through, dust stirring up around my bare ankles, and soaking my feet in a stream after a long hike.
I have discovered that I can get some version of that summer bliss during the cold season. The narrow trail, the safety of the trees…the peace.
The winter world is quiet and still. It’s easy to find solace, much easier than when the weather is nice and the trails are crowded. Unfortunately, heart rocks are nowhere to be found in the snow, but I did find this.
And this guy–my patient model, my (heart) rock, my year-round sunshine.
I am truly blessed…We both are.
We are on this harsh, winter trail together, making the best of it, and I couldn’t hope for a better co-pilot.
These two trees grew high above the rest, almost in an embrace. Lovers, perhaps? Stronger together?
We live in a breathtakingly gorgeous place, but I feel that the most precious beauty is found in the tiny details.
The big picture isn’t all that bad.
But those precious details–a heart carved on a tree, a single strand of barbed wire, a warm embrace–that’s where it’s at.
This is bliss in the depth of winter.
XO, Tobi
Splendid post, awesome quote….even Camus would’ve been proud of your invincible summer…. the quote in its entirety is apt for the two of you….
“When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him. In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
― Albert Camus
Thank you for sharing the whole quote. Beautiful and inspiring!
You’re welcome and it is. Have a great night out there, Tobi.
Same to you!
Lovely prose and photographs! Like you, I am entirely over Winter by February, but we probably would not appreciate Summer as much if we didn’t have Winter, right!?
That is so true! We just revel in our precious summer days, don’t we? And of course we wouldn’t appreciate them without all the cold ones!
Gorgeous photos, Tobi. As someone mired in a Chicago winter, I can relate to nearly everything you wrote (except for all those wonderfully scenic photos…derp…). It is so hard to be motivated to exercise but I took off most of the month of December and realized I was so crabby–not to mention a bit chubbier. So Mike and I went for a four mile walk the other day throughout the city, and it started to snow, and it was a gorgeous, quiet moment in a very cute neighborhood. Reminded me that if you bundle up, you can still enjoy the outdoors in winter! Great post.
Ah, I love going for long walks in the cold (especially at night), as long as I’m properly bundled! I also became lazy, moody, and chubby over the holiday…Not cool. Here’s to getting out, and embracing the rest of winter
Do you know the Christina Rossetti poem (Sarah McLachlan sings a beautiful version) that goes:
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Your post made me think of this depth-of-winter-bliss. (:
You know, I don’t think I’ve heard the whole poem, at least not for a while. I love it, just beautiful! Winter does have some redeeming qualities. Thank you for passing it along,Valerie
xoxo
That is one of my favorite quotes. It applies here in Park City, as well- at least this month! I usually think of those words in a different way- I first read that quote when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. It reminded me that I have strength in me to get through the dark days. Thanks for the quote!
It’s amazing how a few wise or inspiring words can get us through!
Lovely photos, especially the close-up shots.
Thanks!
Those are some awesome pictures!!! Good for you for getting out and walking about the cold weather…..I don’t think I could it. Being a California girl made me snobby to really cold weather!
It’s tough to get out but it always feels good when you do–kind of like exercising!
beautiful photos
I have a hard time with winter as well. Coming from the South of France with its mild winters, it was difficult for me to adjust to freezing Switzerland from November to March. But this year I’m getting a second summer here in New Zealand instead of another long winter- yay!
Lucky you!! Two summers in a row sounds delightful!
Such a lovely and inspiring post! Winters in North Carolina are not nearly so cold, but being what I’m used to, it can feel very much the same. Thank you for the beautiful photos and the inspiration to get outside anyway
I’m glad that you could relate! It seems like winter is almost a state of mind, doesn’t it? Even if it isn’t cold and snowy it still seems to have the same effect. Thanks for commenting
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