On Ch-ch-ch-changes

While fall is my very favorite of all the seasons, as the days darken and the seasons change, I must admit that so does my spirit. It's always been this way. I turn inward, beginning the hibernation process.

"Seasonal Affective Disorder", carrying the pathetic and pithy acronym SAD. Sure, I can personally bear witness that this winter malaise is real. But geez, do we have to NAME everything?!?!? And who doesn't get a little depressed when there's more cold and less sunshine? I'm not talking medicateable here, just a little more reflective.

What's the answer? How to cope? As the trees silhoutte themselves against the greyed late fall sky, I turn to my preferred methods: Snuggling up under a down comforter or in front of a fireplace with a glass of wine and endlessly debateable questions about life. (Come join me, won't you?) I move a little slower, avoid the contrite trappings of the holidays as much as possible (aaah, the benefits of living in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving!) And I pare my life down to doing only what matters; less vague socializing - more time with true friends. Changes, transitions, made easier and less complicated.

And when the waning light is just right, or the candles and fireplace shadow me in exactly the right way, then I smile that quiet, content smile - the one that most people don't see because I don't sit still or unmasked very often - and I am deeply, peacefully comforted knowing that Spring, that miraculous harbinger of new life, lurks not far around the corner.