We seek clarity and focus as a new year dawns.

Unfortunately we’re all too often presented with the same blurry outlines and blowing winds that the previous year ended on.

Our challenge is to not become too discouraged about this lack of instant clarity – and to instead use the coming of a new year as a chance to stop, catch our breath, and take a closer look at our surroundings for the bits of our world that do come into focus, once we take the time to look.

Even swirling snow clouds part long enough to catch an occasional glimpse of the path ahead.

The rewards of exploring are worth the frozen fingers and toes.

Seeing the forest for the trees is good – but why not climb a bit further and see the mountains.