Where I live gets some pretty crazy fog in the valley during the winter time. I live high against the bench of the mountains so our home isn’t ensconced in the thick soup as often as those that live in the valley. This fog can last for days, even weeks sometimes, so for those in the valley it can sometimes feel like the sun never rises.

The heavy fog this week got me thinking about life, and how sometimes when we’re in the thick of a struggle it’s easy to believe we’ll never overcome the darkness surrounding us. But even in our darkest moments, good things are happening around us—they are happening to us. Maybe we have to strain a little harder to see the light filtering through in our lives, but the sunshine is still there. And if at this moment the darkness is threatening to swallow you whole, I hope you have friend to lean on who sees both the struggle and blessings in your life. Nothing improves one’s thoughts and actions more than a balanced perspective.

Below is a picture I took of the valley where I live while driving home.