Surrendering to Winter

I know it's hard to think about shedding layers when it's this cold outside! All I want to do is sleep and eat amongst the bleak grey clouds and freezing temperatures, but perhaps that is exactly what we are supposed to do - bundle up in soft cuddly clothes and blankets (that would be torture in five months,) catch up on sleep, and eat warm hearty comfort food. Being a western-minded person, part of me is very anxious and weary about all of this. The rest of me is secretly thankful - thankful for an opportunity to not push quite so hard, to recoil inwardly beneath the surface, and to regroup spiritually and physically- knowing that there is an internal fire that will never ever completely expire. It is after all this bleakness that makes us appreciate so much the first 80 degree day and humid night. So, let us surrender to winter, and then perhaps we will join the azaleas in bearing fruit this spring.  Namaste.