From the mind of critic: “If we love winter because it’s freezing outside, and we curl up the fire and stay warm inside, are we trying to make up for something? Do we draw in cold from the outside to the point of invitation, while repelling the warm inside to the point of a metaphorical brick wall, regardless of the temperature? Are we accustomed to the cold not because it’s beneficial, but because it’s usual? Are we cynical of the warm, because the whole idea of self-assessment scares the shit out of us? Is this simply one more example of holiday thoughts and feelings, that should be spread throughout the year? Fake it till we make it, is a concept that can get our minds focused back in a much more fulfilling direction. I say can work, because results in life are never guaranteed, only our efforts. The world can be a cruel place, and actively trying to make it less cruel can be intimidating. Maybe we don’t see the light that’s already there, because through life experience, perceptions and beliefs, we can’t see through the shadow of darkness. This can cause us to know it’s freezing outside and want to be warm inside, but think it isn’t possible, or that we’re undeserving. Which causes us to overcompensate during the winter with physical representation, when really we should be putting more effort into emotional representation. Once we believe that we deserve to be warm all year, we’ll take action to make it happen, which makes others believe they can also take action. It takes less to warm us during the winter, when we are warm on the inside to begin with. Gratitude is the reason for the season, but only as an example of what should be present year round.” 🙂