The 30 Minute Cure

S.A.D. - Seasonal Affective Disorder.  I have it.  Like a lot of people, every winter I go through periods of melancholy where my energy level sinks and I just feel a little down.  I'm not really depressed.  It's more like an occasional case of the wintertime blues.  There's a song called Summertime Blues but I can't believe there really is such a thing.  Who could get the blues in summer?  But, winter?  Yeah.  I'm certain it happens all the time to lots of people.  The days are shorter so there is less sunlight.  The grass is brown, the trees are bare, skies are gray, and on many days it's just too cold to do anything.  All that sounds depressing.  But in my case it's more due to the fact that I don't do anything in winter.  I don't have a snowmobile.  Can't ski.  Too old to snowboard.  Skating would likely result in moderate to serious injury.  So I end up indoors a lot, which is exactly the opposite of my summers.

But I've found a cure!  And it's only about 30 minutes away.  That's how long it takes to find a scene that makes you realize there's beauty all around, even in...as Paul Simon wrote... "a deep and dark December."

I am very fortunate to live in an area that offers such a wealth of beauty and amazing scenery in all seasons.  And so much of it is only about 30 minutes from my front door.  Here's another view I noticed on my recent short road trip ---

Scenes like this are all around, no matter what part of the country you live in.  And, with the right kind of eye, you can find them on almost any day.  Sometimes you don't even need 30 minutes.  Sometimes it's only 3 minutes away ---

I took this photo at dusk yesterday a few blocks from my house.  I love the simple beauty of this tribute to the season, and look forward to seeing it every year.  It's somehow reassuring.  A comforting sign that warms my heart and reminds me that Christmas is near. 
So, when you get a touch of the winter blues, go for a short drive or even a short walk and keep your eyes peeled.  Even when it seems like there is none, there really is beauty all around us.  Look a little closer.  You'll see it.  And you may just get healed.

                                                                                    -0-