Winter is a trying time for many people. Many become isolated, confined to their homes by the cold and limited daylight hours, the challenging driving conditions. In warmer weather we might sit on our front porches or go for a walk, connecting with neighbors and strangers alike. Sometimes that smile in passing has a bigger impact than we might imagine.

In response to the bitter cold, however, we hunker down in our homes as much as possible, drawing inside ourselves.

That can be very depressing.