Diane Dreher

Creative and reactive—these words look almost the same but are polar opposites.

Creative people live their lives with active choice and a sense of agency, discovering new opportunities, creating new possibilities for themselves and those around them.

Reactive people surrender their agency and control of their lives, programmed by external pressures.

It's a challenge to live creatively today when we're inundated by tidal waves of advertising and social media, competing for the valuable asset of our attention. It's all too easy to get dragged down into an undertow of enticing information, to surrender our time, our energy, and our sense of self.

Yet each of us is a unique, creative individual with our own special strengths. As I explain in my book, Your Personal Renaissance,[1] when people began believing that they had their own unique strengths to discover and use, this belief inspired the Renaissance. In an unprecedented wave of creativity, artists, writers, scientists, and leaders in many fields flourished. And a poor boy from the English countryside whose parents could only sign their names with an X brought his strengths to the London stage as William Shakespeare.

In our own time, positive psychology has confirmed the power of discovering and using our strengths. Extensive international research has revealed that beyond our cultural differences, there are 24 character strengths common to humankind. The researchers found and that discovering and using our top strengths can make us happier, healthier, and more successful.[2]

You can discover your own top character strengths by taking the free online survey at https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths-via which should take only ten to fifteen minutes.

What are your top strengths? Can you begin using some of them in new ways to begin living more creatively?

Who knows? If enough of us start using our strengths, we can make a positive difference in our lives. And we may even reverse the reactive trend in our culture to create a new Renaissance for our time.

References

[1] Dreher, D. E. (2008). Your Personal Renaissance: 12 Steps to Finding Your Life's True Calling. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo.

 
[2] Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association; Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N, & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60, 410-421.

Every morning, I meditate, wrapped up in a beautiful quilt made by my dear friend Tina, and my little dog, Ginny likes it too. My quilt combines a variety of fabrics in lavender and white, stitched together in geometric patterns.

Many of us are drawn to patterns, seeing separate pieces come together to form a larger whole. My friend Judy brings floral arrangements from her rose garden to her favorite coffee shop. Some of my friends enjoy assembling jigsaw puzzles. Others like working with wood. I enjoy stitching needlepoint tapestries, seeing the colorful yarns blend together in intricate patterns.

There are many patterns in the world around us. In my travels, I've met people with different personalities, backgrounds, talents, strengths, languages, cultures, and beliefs, seeing us all as vital parts of the larger human community. Yet these days, many of us feel threatened by our differences, reacting in fear, unaware of the larger patterns that connect us all.

The wisdom of nature shows us that beyond our fears, beyond all the reactive polarization, is the intrinsic oneness that connects us. The trees in my neighborhood breathe in what we breathe out, in an ongoing exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that sustains all our lives.  

This week, look around you, taking time to notice nature's patterns—the shifting clouds overhead, mountains and valleys, green hills and deep blue sky. Look for the different colors and patterns in your neighborhood—the tall oak tree in your neighbor's yard, summer roses in bloom, neighbors of all ages and stages in life. Listen for the daily symphony of sounds, the whispering of the wind, the songs of birds, even a neighbor's dog barking in the distance.

Then pause to recall a time when you felt part of the larger pattern of life. Was it seeing the beauty of a summer sunset, looking up at the branches of a tall tree, walking in the woods, seeing squirrels scamper through the trees, birds flying overhead, or new seedlings emerge from the ground, connecting with someone you know, or something else?

Focus on that experience, breathing into your heart, and for the next few moments, pause to appreciate that experience, realizing how you are part of the essential oneness of life. 

 We can learn vital lessons from the ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching.

The Tao says:

Why do many people rush about

Reactively losing their balance?

They give way to emotion,

Impatience, and haste,

Thereby losing their center.

                                      (Tao chapter 26)

The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao-Tzu over 25 centuries ago in ancient China. Yet he knew, even then, how rushing can make us lose our emotional balance.

We now know that rushing and impatience put us into a stress state, which narrows our focus, makes us anxious, and shuts down our higher brain centers, making us less effective in whatever we do.

Our busy contemporary culture constantly assaults us with demands and interruptions, urging us to multitask, to cram more activities into our days. But frantically rushing from one thing to the next exhausts us, drains our energy, puts us into chronic stress which is unhealthy for our minds, our bodies, and our personal and collective health.

We can break this unhealthy habit of rushing by adding mindful pauses to our days—to return to the present moment, to regain our peace of mind by connecting with our inner wisdom.

Please join me now for a mindful pause, a brief moment of presence and meditation.

• First close your eyes or shift them into a gentle downward gaze.
• Then breathe in, focusing on your heart and slowly breathe out. You can put your hand on your heart if you wish.
• Again, slowly breathe in and breathe out.
• Breathing in, breathing out, feeling your shoulders relax, your mind become more peaceful.
• As you continue this slow heart-focused breathing, ask yourself these questions

               "How do I feel?"  Notice your feelings.

               "What do I need?" Listen to your heart.

               "What can I do about it now?" Listen for one small thing you can do now.

• And finally ask yourself, "What do I need to release?" Listen for the answer to simplify and center your life.
• When you're ready, gently open your eyes and return to the present moment, ready to take the next step.

Now whenever you find yourself rushing, you can take a mindful pause to listen to your heart, and return to center to live in greater harmony.

I wish you joy and peace on the path.

Our culture can limit us in insidious ways. Years ago, I read literary critic Jill Ker Conway's When Memory Speaks: Reflections on Autobiography.  She argues that there are two distinct models for our lives. Men's autobiographies follow the hero's journey, a pattern of action and adventure, while women's autobiographies follow the saint's life, in which, as the saint seeks union with God, women seek union with a romantic partner.  

In profound disagreement with her reductive vision, I created a senior seminar on autobiography for my college students, asking them to read Conway, and then Walden by Henry David Thoreau, which described his spiritual journey at Walden Pond, and Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth in which she defied sexist stereotypes to go to college and treated wounded soldiers on European battlefields as a volunteer nurse during World War I. Students would then select and report on an autobiography from a list that included the lives of Margaret Mead, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and Jane Goodall, drawing their own conclusions about the possible shapes of our lives.

I wanted them to realize that we can live creatively, following our hearts rather than accepting the confining dictates of our culture.

Has anyone ever told you what you should be because of your gender, ethnicity, cultural background, age, or other factor? These limiting messages can come from family, friends, institutions, or advertising. Going deeper, when you listen to your heart, what is it telling you about your own life's journey? For we are all unique, each with our own special part in the beautiful tapestry of life.

Remember to listen to your heart as you contemplate your next step in your life's journey.

If you have a few moments now, I invite you to join me in this brief meditation.

• Close your eyes or shift them into a gentle downward gaze.
• Then breathe in, focusing on your heart and slowly breathe out. You can put your hand on your heart if you wish.
• Again, slowly breathe in and breathe out.
• Breathing in, breathing out, feeling your shoulders relax, your mind become more peaceful.
• As you continue this slow heart-focused breathing, ask yourself, "Where am I being called to live now? What is my next step?"
• Take your time to listen, breathing into your heart, feeling your connection to the greater oneness of life.
• The answer will come, now or later as a gentle message from your heart.

 When you're ready, gently open your eyes and return to the present moment, relaxed and renewed.

I wish you joy on your ongoing journey of discovery.

______________________

References

Brittain, Vera. (1933/1994)Testament of Youth. New York, NY: Penguin.

Conway, Jill Ker. (1999). When Memory Speaks: Reflections on Autobiography. New York, NY: Knopf.

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. (1854/2004). New York, NY : Signet.

Are you really present with what you're doing? Research has found that for nearly 50% of the time most people are doing one thing while thinking about something else.[1]

For example, it's Monday morning. Your alarm goes off and you wake up thinking about all you have to do today. As thoughts churn through your head, you're caught up in planning, thinking about the report you're giving at work, worrying about everything that could go wrong. Getting up, you head for the bathroom, brush your teeth and splash cold water on your face. Then you go to the kitchen to make coffee. Sitting by the window with your phone, you scroll through your email, barely tasting your coffee as you deal with announcements, ads, and requests. Then suddenly you realize you're running late. With no time for breakfast, you rush to get dressed and head out the door for your car. Halfway to work, you realize you've left your report on the kitchen table.

Obsessive planning, worry, multitasking, and rushing block us from being present.  Let's begin the day once more with a greater sense of presence.

It's Monday morning. When your alarm goes off, you pause to take a deep breath, feeling the comforting warmth of your blankets. When you get up, you notice the sunlight shining through the window. Opening the shades, you look out at the trees and the bright blue sky. With a sense of gratitude, you wash, dress, and head for the kitchen where you put on the coffee and cook a bowl of oatmeal in the microwave. Sitting by the kitchen window, you savor your coffee and breakfast, smiling when you see a sparrow at the bird feeder outside. Clearing up the breakfast dishes, you pick up your report and head out the door for work, smiling at the birch trees on your way to the car. 

What makes the difference between these two mornings? Attention. We live life on two levels: our separate self and our connected self. On one level, we are all individuals, with our own names, strengths, and personal histories. Yet if we live only as our separate selves, we can become disconnected, seeing life as a competitive struggle and spending our time planning, worrying, and craving external approval. When we expand our attention beyond our separate selves, we recognize our oneness with all creation, opening our hearts to a more inspired and holistic view of life.

When you find yourself getting caught up in separation, can you take a deep breath and look around to connect to the natural world, other people, and a deeper vision of life?

I wish you joy on the journey that connects us all.

[1] Killingsworth, M.A., & Gilbert, D. (2010,12 November). A wandering mind is an unhappy mind. Science, 330, 932.

My father grew up on a Kentucky farm but found his dream in the skies. Becoming an Air Force pilot, he flew cargo planes, air rescue helicopters, and jets. When he retired from the Air Force, he became a flight instructor. My favorite times were when he'd take me up in his Cessna 172 to explore the skies together, soaring over the Southern California coast and the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean.

One morning, I looked up in disappointment at the gray stratus clouds, thinking our flight would be cancelled. But my father reassured me that we could still fly that day. We headed out to the airport and took off.  When the plane broke through the cloud layer, the sky was suddenly clear and blue. My father smiled. "The sun is always there," he said. "Sometimes when we're too close to the ground, we can't see it."

We can also forget that the sun is still there in our lives if our vision is clouded by stress and everyday routine. Yet now, as the season of spring brings new life to our world, we can bring greater light to our lives by appreciating the beauty of nature.    

Appreciation can help us focus on moments of beauty around us that we often take for granted. Psychologist Dan Baker, PhD, considers appreciation the "fundamental happiness tool." He says that when we appreciate the beauty in our lives, we transcend our normal world and enter "a state of grace."[1] The appreciation of beauty and excellence is one of twenty-four character strengths common to humankind.[2]

When we open our hearts in appreciation, we can feel greater joy, meaning, and connection with life. Research has found that appreciation can help relieve stress, reduce inflammation, strengthen our emotional balance, and bring us greater hope. [3]

Sometimes our appreciation of nature can lead to awe, a deep emotional or spiritual connection to a power beyond ourselves. We can feel awe in response to a radiant sunset, a majestic redwood tree, and new signs of life in spring. [4] Psychologist Dacher Keltner, PhD, has found that awe can bring us feelings of deep, transcendent joy and inspire us to become more curious, creative, and open to the wonders of life.[5]

In this season of spring, I invite you to find more ways to appreciate nature, to bring the light of greater hope and possibility into your life.

I wish you joy in the process.

Diane

_____________________________________________________________________

References

[1] Baker, D. & Stauth, C. (2003). What Happy People Know. Kutztown, PA: Rodale Press. Discussion and quote on page 81.

 
[2] Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Discussion on pages 537-538.

 
[3] Adler, M. G., & Fagley, N.S. (2005). Appreciation: Individual differences in finding value and meaning as a unique predictor of subjective well-being. Journal of Personality, 73 (1), 79-113; Childre, D. & Martin, H. with Beech, D. (1999). The HeartMath Solution. New York, NY: HarperCollins; Diessner, R., Solom, R. C., Frost, N. K., & Parsons, L. (2008). Engagement with beauty: Appreciating natural, artistic, and moral beauty. Journal of Personality, 142 (3), 303-329; Stellar, J. E., John-Henderson, N., Anderson, C.L., Gordon, A. M., McNeill, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: Discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Emotion, 15 (2), 129.

 
[4] Adler, M. G., & Fagley, N.S. (2005). Appreciation: Individual differences in finding value and meaning as a unique predictor of subjective well-being. Journal of Personality, 73 (1), 79-113; Fagley, N.S. (2016). The Construct of Appreciation. In D. Carr (Ed.). Perspectives on Gratitude: An Interdisciplinary Approach, pp 70-84. Oxford UK: Routledge.

 
[5] Keltner, D. (2023). Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. New York, NY: Penguin Press.

When was the last time you felt playful—having fun, laughing, and enjoying life?

Play comes naturally to children. When I was a child, I loved playing with my dog and playing marbles, climbing trees, playing hide-and-go-seek and touch football with my friends. Research has found that childhood play develops our brains, especially our ability to learn, create, and strengthen our bonds of friendship.[1]

We may not realize now that playfulness is equally important for us as adults. Too often we can get so caught up in our adult duties and responsibilities that we forget to play. Yet research has shown that playful behavior can expand our perspective, help relieve depression, and increase our wellbeing and joy in life. [2] It can broaden and build our personal resources, resilience, and ability to flourish.[3]

As we face our challenging world today, developing greater playfulness can bring us hope and healing on many levels. The Dalai Lama has faced many serious challenges. He was exiled from his home in Tibet, yet now he partners with neuroscientists conducting research on the effects of meditation on our brains and works for world peace. When I think of him, I recall his infectious laughter, his sense of playfulness and joy in the present moment.

I invite you to add more of this playful energy to your days.

You can begin by joining me in this brief meditation to reconnect with the spirit of play.

• If you're in a safe, quiet space, close your eyes and take a deep mindful breath into your heart and slowly release it.
• Then take another breath, slowly breathing in and breathing out.
• Breathing in, breathing out.
• Now as you breathe slowly and deeply, connecting with your heart, recall a time when you were filled with the joyous sense of play.
• When was it? Where were you? What were you doing?
• Feel the vital, joyous energy fill your mind and body.
• Breathing in joy, breathing out loving, vibrant energy.
• Know that this playful spirit is an essential part of you as you breathe in this renewed awareness.

When you are ready, open your eyes with a renewed sense of joy and vitality.

How can you discover one way to bring this spirit of play into today?

I wish you joy on the path.

References

[1] Fredrickson, B. (2002). Positive emotions. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (eds.). Handbook of positive psychology, (pp. 120-134). New York, NY: Oxford University Press; Panksepp, J. (1998). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychostimulants, and intolerance of childhood playfulness: A tragedy in the making? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 7, 91-98.

 
[2] Proyer, R. Y., Brauer, K., Gander, F., & Chick, G. (2021). Can playfulness be stimulated? A randomized placebo-controlled online playfulness intervention study on effects on trait playfulness, well-being, and depression. Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being, 13 (1), 129-151.

 
[3] Fredrickson, B. & Joiner, T. (2002). Positive emotions trigger upward spirals toward emotional well-being. Psychological Science, 13, 172-175. 

We all have a negativity bias. Psychologists tell us that our brains are hard wired to focus on problems, on things that can go wrong.[1] This reaction can save our lives in an emergency when we avoid a rattlesnake when walking in the woods or jump out of the way of a car speeding through the crosswalk. But in these uncertain times, our negativity bias can leave us worried, anxious, and on edge.

To counteract the negativity bias and restore our peace of mind, we can consciously cultivate happiness like plants in a garden. This means mindfully focusing our attention on the moments of joy and beauty in our lives. Research at the HeartMath Institute reveals that breathing feelings of appreciation into our hearts can return us to a state of coherence and peace and their scientists have measured this change empirically. [2] But Plato discovered this transformation thousands of years ago during classical times, describing the divine ideals as the Good, the True and the Beautiful and encouraging people to connect with them in greater awareness and appreciation.

To bring the light of greater coherence into our lives, we can focus on what is Good, True, and Beautiful in our lives and the world around us. The beauty of a sunny morning after a winter storm, the goodness of a caring friend, the truth of keeping our promises and living our deepest values. These moments of appreciation can light up our lives and bring us greater peace.

If you'd like to try this right now, take a slow, deep breath, focusing on your heart.

Then slowly breathe out. You can put your hand on your heart to focus your attention there if you wish.

Again, slowly breathe in and breathe out.

As you breathe into your heart, feel your shoulders relax, your mind becoming more peaceful.

Now as you continue this slow heart-focused breathing, think of a time when you felt connected to goodness, beauty or truth.

Was it appreciating the kindness of a friend? The beauty of a radiant sunset?  Acting on the truth of your highest values? Or something else?

Focus on that experience, breathing into your heart, feeling the sense of connection to the Good, the True, and the Beautiful in your life.

And when you are ready, return to your regular activities, feeling more relaxed, renewed, and peaceful.

References

[1] Rozin, P., & Royzman, E. B. (2001). Negativity bias, negativity dominance, and contagion. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5, 296-320; Vaish, A., Grossman, T., & Woodward, A. (2008). Not all emotions are created equal: The negativity bias in social-emotional development. Psychological Bulletin, 134: 383-403.

 
[2] Childre, D., Martin, H., Rozman, D. & McCraty, R. (2016). Heart Intelligence. Waterfront Press, p. 62.

To feel safe, secure, and at peace in our world, we need a sense of home. Research describes home as a refuge, a place where we feel safe and secure, where we find acceptance, comfort, and renewal.[1] According to Canadian educator Kim Samuel, "Our sense of home is essential to an experience of belonging."[2]

For many of us, "home" is where we grew up.  But for years, when people asked me, "Where are you from?" I didn't know what to say. I'd moved across the country and around the world with my Air Force father on his many assignments. By the time I graduated from high school, I'd attended ten different schools. All that moving made me more adaptable to change and aware of different cultures. But I also felt something was missing from my life. Research has shown that children of military families or diplomats who move frequently can feel a sense of rootlessness, anxiety, and insecurity. [3]

Research has shown that we all need a psychological home, a haven from the challenges of the outside world where we can find refuge, security, and comfort.[4] Czech poet, playwright, and political leader Vaclav Havel described our home as a multidimensional experience in which we're surrounded by concentric circles of connection from our families and close friends to our neighborhoods, towns, workplaces, countries, and the world in which we live. [5]

But many of us have lost our sense of home. Years ago, I counseled homeless women at a local shelter. These women were literally homeless. But many more of us are virtually homeless; we've lost our sense of belonging, the deep relationships we need with the people, places, and natural world around us.[6]

We lost many circles of connection in the Covid pandemic. My local drugstore closed, as did the coffee shop where I'd meet my friends for lunch. Our sense of home is also eroding because of changing corporate practices. Nearly every week I hear of tech companies laying off hundreds of employees. Deprived of their salaries and workplace connections, people's lives are disrupted. They're forced to seek new jobs, and many of them move away. In contrast, after a devastating fire at his factory in 1995, Aaron Feuerstein, the CEO of Malden Mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts, made the national news by continuing to pay his employees' salaries and benefits for months while rebuilding the factory.

Our efforts may not be as dramatic as Aaron Feuerstein's but we can strengthen the sense of home for ourselves and our world. We can begin by pausing to mindfully appreciate the beauty in our own living space, neighborhood, and community. Taking small steps, we can cultivate a greater sense of refuge and comfort where we live, perhaps by hanging a favorite picture on the wall, putting a comfortable chair by the window, or curling up with a warm blanket.

We can cultivate a stronger sense of home in our communities by greeting our neighbors, colleagues, and the people we see each day, creating what psychologist Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, calls "micromoments of connectivity" that benefit both people, dramatically improving our emotional and physical health, raising our mood, relieving stress, and reducing inflammation. Over time, these small acts can spread in a positive ripple effect to create a stronger sense of home in our community.[vii]  We can also strengthen our sense of home by volunteering for causes we believe in and taking steps to protect our natural environment. And at the end of the day, we can look up at the sky to connect in awe with the universe of stars sparkling overhead.

Please join me in a brief meditation to connect with the sense of home.

What is one step you can take this week to cultivate a greater sense of home?

I wish you joy in the comfort of home.

References

[1] Després, C. (1991, Summer). The meaning of home: Literature review and directions for future research and theoretical development. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 8 (2), 96-115; Mallett, S. (2004). Understanding home: A critical review of the literature. The Sociological Review, 52, 62-89.

 
[2] Samuel, K. (2022). On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation. New York, NY: Abrams Press, p. 101.

 
[3] Morris, T., Manley, D., Northstone, K., & Sabel, C. E. (2017). How do moving and other major life events impact mental health? A longitudinal analysis of UK children. Health and Place, 46, 257-266; Taylor, S. (2022). Disconnected: The Roots of Human Cruelty and How Connection Can Heal the World. Alresford, UK: John Hunt Publishing.

 
[4] Sigmon, S., Whitcomb, S. R., Snyder, C. R. (2002). Psychological home. In A. T. Fisher, C. C. Sonn, & B. J. Fisher (Eds.). Psychological Sense of Community: Research, Applications, and Implications, pp. 25-41. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. 

 
[5] Havel, V. (1992). Summer Meditations. P. Wilson (Trans.). New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, pages 30-31;  See also Tucker, A. (1994). In search of home. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 11 (2), 181-187.

 
[6] Samuel, K. (2022). On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation. New York, NY: Abrams Press, p. 19.

 
[vii] Fredrickson, B. (2013). Love 2.0: How our supreme emotion affects everything we feel, think, do, and become. New York, NY: Hudson Street Press.

Winter is the darkest season of the year. The days grow shorter from summer until the winter solstice, December 21, when the great wheel of time turns toward the light and the days gradually grow longer again.

This year, many of us have felt like we've been dwelling in darkness, still coping with losses from the Covid pandemic. According to a recent New York Times editorial, Americans have been experiencing a sense of gloom, feeling pessimistic about the economy and our future, despite an impressive recovery and strong economic performance. [1]

Darkness fills the daily news with reports of wars, fires, floods, and other natural disasters. Yet all news is biased—and I say this from my own work on a newspaper. News reports focus on crime, calamities, and chaos—only part of what is going on, ignoring the light that fills our world. The news rarely reports on the courage of health care workers and first responders, the dedication of teachers, the inspiration of the arts, the beauty of nature, the daily kindness of others, and the vital light within us.

Yet even now, the light of new seasons is emerging. As French novelist Albert Camus wrote, "In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." [2]  Signs of new life are appearing. As  winter darkens the skies, the first green shoots of daffodil bulbs are appearing in my garden. By acknowledging the small signs of beauty in our world, we can look to the light. And this light will enable us to see more clearly, become more mindful, find inspiration, and discover new solutions to the challenges we face.

If you'd like to join me in a brief meditation,

Take a deep mindful breath, focusing on your heart and slowly breathe out.

Breathe in and breathe out one more time.

Once again, slowly breathe in and breathe out.

Now recall one recent vision of light you recall—the stars sparkling above you, the flickering candlelight, the colorful holiday lights in your neighborhood, or the light in a loved one's eyes.

Take a deep heartfelt breath in as you focus on the light.

Feel the light surround you as you slowly breathe out.

This winter, as many of us light candles to celebrate holiday feasts, let's look to the light within and around us. For by looking to the light, each of us can become a beacon of hope, lighting the way to new paths of peace and possibility for ourselves and our world.

[1] Wallace-Wells, D. (2023, December 10). It's No Surprise that America is Pessimistic. The New York Times, Opinion section, p. 9.

 
[2] See discussion of this quote on https://www.google.com/search?q=camus+winter+quote&oq=camus+wintrr&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgBEAAYDRiABDIGCAAQRRg5MgkIARAAGA0YgAQyCAgCEAAYDRgeMgoIAxAAGAUYDRgeMgoIBBAAGAUYDRgeMgoIBRAAGAgYDRgeMgoIBhAAGAgYDRgeMgoIBxAAGAgYDRgeMgoICBAAGAgYDRgeMgoICRAAGAUYDRgeMgoIChAAGAgYDRgeMg0ICxAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IDBAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IDRAAGIYDGIAEGIoF0gEKMjMzNDRqMGoxOagCALACAA&client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8