The Pause.

January days always start with a seasonal hush.

On gray days with snow-laden clouds, even the hush can be muted, quiet so complete it seems to scream. A sense of being the only person on the planet is possible on some of these days, the absence of activity and sound is so complete.

Other January mornings offer a stark, crisp clarity. Snowless, perhaps, but bright, clear, and still.

No tree leaves to rustle in the breeze. Birdsong limited to a few phoebes calling their own version of “Marco Polo” and Papa Cardinal reminding me to fill the bird feeders.

Forms and outlines of these mornings shout for attention in the nearly complete stillness that surrounds them. Despite the sensation of nearly total slumber, Nature still shows intention and direction.

A mature tree, deeply rooted reaches for the sky, nurses itself on winter sunlight, preparing for an eruption of new leaves in just a matter of weeks. Seeds also reach, seeking a breeze to carry them away to a place for rooting, new growth and yet again, new seeds.

Winter may seem like a pause. Look deeper.

Look deeper into every pause.

Transformation is underway.