Life is Cool - Winter and by the way I was published!

Yes, I have made it into print - it is a free publication that my church publishes called 'Transformed', which is for church folk but is also circulated throughout the community.  Some may poo-poo this small snippet of writing, but it is actually something I can hold in my hands (and show my mum!). 

I have added the text below so you can read the article I wrote about 

Winter....

I am not sure if Marion Owen from plantea.com intended for her information on bulbs to be interpreted like this, but I read her article on planting bulbs and was really encouraged about the impending Winter season.

I love the idea that bulbs are planted in the Autumn and then burst forth with the first colours of the Spring season. The glory of Tulips, Daffodils, Irises and Crocuses is such a welcome sight after the leafless grey days of Winter. 

During the short days and long evenings in Winter when we are tucked in our cosy houses eating soup and playing board games, the flower bulb is busy. It is making a good root system so that it can sustain itself through the coldest days of the season. But, the conditions need to be just right: good soil, planted at just the right depth, lots of compost and plenty of sunlight are essentials for a bulb to grow and develop into a vibrant flowering plant come Spring.

I thought that I could take these principles and apply them to myself this Winter. I am hoping that this means that Winter can be a time of reconnecting and re-energizing for Spring. 

Firstly, I am going to plant myself in some new fresh soil. I am going to be taking time to journal and ponder things that in the busyness of warmer months I have not had time to do. I have a pile of books to read and a list of things I need to study more. I want to develop deeper roots and learn more about God and how he has worked through time and in my life. I am going to make sure I have a good strong root system so that when those dark days come, I am strong and still able to flower.

As for compost, I am going to take good advice from friends and family and rake all those good intentions that have collected around my feet and turn them into good things. I am going to start changing ‘shoulds’ for ‘it would be goods’. 

Sunlight is the final aspect of a good healthy bulb. It is hard getting enough sun in Winter, but I love getting lots of the early morning sun. The clean air and time alone with my thoughts and God in the low light is great. Walking in Winter is also a great way to ensure that Spring is a time of rejoicing in Summer clothes that still fit!

I am hoping that after planting myself away for the Winter, come Spring I will be invigorated and fresh and in full flower, ready for the fun and freshness Spring brings with it. 


I am pretty pleased with how it looks. Thanks to the peeps involved for letting me write something for the magazine. It was fun!


Have you ever had anything published?