By Judy Young

I’ve loved December 22nd ever since I learned about the Winter Solstice.
Yes, sometimes it falls on the 21st, sometimes the 23rd, but generally, in my mind (no matter what the calendar says), I think of December 22nd as the Winter Solstice—and June 22nd as the Summer Solstice.

So on that day, even though it's technically only the beginning of winter, I feel encouraged. In my mind, the days are already getting longer and brighter, and Spring is on the way!
That thought helps me bear the cold of winter—the shorter, darker days and the longer, colder nights.

I live in Portland, Oregon. Generally, we don’t have harsh winters, but they are definitely COLD!
It’s not the extreme cold of the East, but in truth, I’m a wimp. I prefer moderate temperatures—not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter (maybe I’m secretly Goldilocks!).
Oregon, for me, has been just about perfect most years.

This is the rhythm of nature. I expect it.
I expect Spring to follow Winter.
I expect Summer to follow Spring.
I expect Fall to follow Summer.
And I expect Winter to follow Fall.
It doesn’t surprise me.

I don’t really like winter—and honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of summer either (at least when it gets REALLY hot... and by REALLY hot, I mean over 80 degrees! ;) )
But even though Spring and Fall are my FAVORITE seasons, I appreciate them more because of Winter and Summer!

I’ve learned that the Law of Rhythm in nature shows up in all parts of life.
There’s no such thing as staying in one season forever and ever.
There’s no such thing as stagnation!
Interestingly, I came to that conclusion even as a child—I noticed that nothing stays the same.

So with that knowledge, I can trust that if something isn't going the way I’d like—or even feels downright bad—good is on the way.
And when it comes, I can appreciate it that much more!

Just like knowing December 22nd marks the Winter Solstice and the days start getting longer and brighter from there, I know that in "bad" situations, lighter, brighter, longer days are on their way!

This rhythm gives me two main things: HOPE for a brighter future, and APPRECIATION (GRATITUDE) when it comes!

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