Embracing emptiness.

This wintering season I came across this snowy mountain picture of the German Alps. It was a cold spring day during our last Sabbatical in Munich when a cable car tossed us out on the hill top, the second highest of the German Alps. Our eyes were blinded by all the white of the snow welcoming us to the roof of the world.

Looking at this shot anew reminded me of the essence of all wintering: To embrace the empty spaces, the tuned-down colors, the slowed-down pace, the sacred spaces inside and out guiding our view to what truly matters.

So today, our midweek blessing is an invitation. To pause a bit within that sacred emptiness. You can do so by using the image for a Visio Divina, a sacred reading practice of a picture. To just look at it until it slows down your breath and your thoughts about other things. Things which need to get done or thoughts of worry. Cover the inner noise just as the snow blanket covers the vibrant life ready to sprout into bloom again soon. Stay with the image an…