Please don't take my sunshine away..

It's 4 days into the new year and its the first day we have seen blue skies and this bright yellow object in the sky known as the sun. As I wandered out onto the front porch, where I do all my fantastic thinking, everything was vibrant and illuminated.  The greens were greener, the reds redder; the sheer lack of moisture resulted in non-existent fog and absent dew.  I could see clear across the street where prior I wondered what existed beyond the grey thickness that enveloped everything not 6 inches in front of my face.

 Next I felt the warmth, the radiating beams streaming earthward spilling over with abandon to every surface.  It was at this point I looked straight up and was blinded by the big ball of fire in the sky.  The only appropriate response was crippling to my knees and weeping.

I should insert a disclaimer here that it has been brought to my attention that I tend to exaggerate; however in this situation I AM SPOT ON.

I deal with seasonal depression issues every year, this isn't my first rodeo. But what I forgot this time around was some of the aides at my disposal as I wait for the sun to come back. Its always there even if I can't see it and that is something I need to remember in my mind as well.  When the winter comes here are a few things that help me beat the blues:

 Make Light 

Seems obvious but when the light outside is so dull and gray you think your in a black and white movie based in London, it is time to bring in your own light.  I've gotten in the habit of having candles around the house and when the POS ( yes it means what you think it does) of Daylight Savings Time steals the little sunlight there is. It creates a warmth and a coziness.  If you have a fireplace I highly recommend getting it lit as soon as the sun dips over the horizon.
 I also add a few more lamps around the house and use the softer glow bulbs in my fixtures.


My greatest light trick came from my sister (check her out at @unicorngenius) She bought me a Happy Light. It is a large light that simulates UV rays from the sun. I keep it on my vanity and turn it on as I get ready for the day. It is similar to the light people in Alaska ( God love their grit) use.  Anyone remember Northern Exposure? They had head lights on during their long and desperate winter.

Create Your Own Summer

Watch TV, movies  that are in sunny locations.
Listen to beachy music (Spotify) or put on National Geographic channel about the Islands.

 Enlighten Your Thinking

When the hum drum Eeyore thoughts creep in hit them back with literal sunny thoughts and facts.  Scripture has a lot to say about the sun. You can find many here, but to get you started here is one of  my favorites : Psalms 113:3
 From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised

And with that whether you see the sun or not know that it is rising and setting according to the will of the One who loves you and keep praising Him.