Solstice.

Alicia Bock

Today was the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, the shortest day of the year. For me this day represents endings, to be replaced with soon-to-be new beginnings. It almost feels like struggling up a great big hill to have finally reached the top, where it's now all downhill from here. What a great feeling. So here's to longer, and eventually warmer, days to come. To sunshine, flowers and new life. To changes and celebrations. And to many, many more seasons to come.

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.

- Maori Proverb

Seasons Change.

Today I couldn't help but notice one of the beautiful ways in which nature demonstrates the changing of the seasons. It seems like just yesterday the days were long and balmy, and I was floating around in little summer dresses, icy coconut water in hand. Suddenly I seem to be rising before the sun does, my breath making misty patterns against the harsh morning air as I rush to get to my car and turn the heating all the way up on my drive to work. Yet there is something so pure about the winter sun - its light seems to cut through the clouds to reveal everything in a new light. And so the cycle continues... trees are losing their leaves, the animals are going into hiding and the whole city seems to slow down a little. But out of winter new things grow, and I'm looking forward to seeing the changes that the next few weeks and months bring about.