I’ve always hated the winter, especially in Kansas.

The wind is always too harsh, and as my friends are so fond of telling me, I tend to shiver like a Chihuahua when the temperature drops too low.

Despite my hatred of the cold, however, December and January are my favorite months out of the year. There is something about the state of the world when it’s cold and blanketed with snow that makes it seem more alive than it is at any other point.

It’s the fact that the first snowfall causes everything to fall silent, the frigid temperatures just jolt everything awake, and the thought of a new year always makes me want to truly celebrate everything that makes being alive so amazing.

Around this time of year, whether I’m eating wonderful meals with my family, laughing with my best friends or burrowing underneath a giant blanket to listen to my favorite band while falling asleep, I often find myself just closing my eyes and enjoying the present moment. This is the perfect time to be with friends and family, but it’s also the perfect time to find a moment for some quiet reflection, and to look at what’s ahead.

In the new year, I hope we can all focus less on making drastic resolutions, and more on simply enjoying life’s moments while they last. You never know how many new beginnings you actually have left.