Day Two: 'Once this Winter' by Cathy Bryant

'Once this Winter'

For once, let yourself off the hook.

For once, let anxieties fall away as lightly as snowflakes.

For once, shrug off the stresses and strains.

For once, eat and drink your fill, at will.

For once, let peace lie soft and cool over the usual hot pains.

For once, find things to celebrate, and smile at someone for all the reasons that people do, or for no reason.

For once, let it be. It can wait.

For once, be gentle and forgiving with yourself.

And be wrapped like a gift in one of those rare moments of perfect stillness that only winter brings. Like a gift.

Cathy Bryant