I was wandering along in the spring snow this morning noticing feeling happy and enjoying the beauty! This is not a big deal because it is April and we are still having a huge snow storm, It is a big deal because this wasn’t always the case for me.
In fact, in my past winters I could be heard to say “I hate winter- I grew up here in Vermont, you’d think I’d be used to it by now!” Year after year.
When I was a kid I loved snow. It was fun. If school was canceled- even better! Somewhere around my young adult hood I started to dislike winter, snow and cold- it was inconvenient, dangerous. I had to get myself places, etc.
Fast forward to this morning- a meet up I was very much looking forward to got postponed due to the snow. And I was OKAY! I quickly rewrote my day and saw a huge opportunity to make progress on a current project that I was wondering how I would get it done by the deadline next week. I immediately felt relieved. Back to my walk in the snow this morning. It is astounding to me, but given what I do for my work in the world shouldn’t seem so astounding.
A few years ago I decided to choose- on purpose to embrace whatever weather was present and to longer let it detract from my day. What previously might have been known to as too rainy, too hot, too cold, too snowy, too windy, too cloudy..… was reframed to here’s what is happening today. I have worked diligently on this for a few years and I am proof that it can work. Yes, I might get nervous about icy roads, but no longer to I get upset about the weather. It has truly made a difference in my life and is an excellent way to practice building the strength of accepting what is.
We know the weather is not going to adapt to us! We are the ones who need to adapt to it in order to have our best day.
As I was thinking about all of the I flipped open a new book I received after months of waiting. Apparently it’s not easy to get. As these things happen, I was astounded again. I love it when I flip open a book and the right words stare back at me. The book is called Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Peter D. Kaufman.
Right at the top of page 66 there is a heading- Change -Live with change and accept unremovable complexity.
Which to me means- just accept that living with change in a human life is part of the deal and we have no control over that.
And then the big one that really got me:
Recognize and adapt to the true nature of the world (the weather??!!) around you; don’t expect it to adapt to you.
How many times do we think things should change to suit us? Even if not consciously, how often do we act that way?
He goes on to add two more thoughts under the heading “Change”
-Continually challenge and willingly amend your best-loved ideas.
-Recognize reality even when you don’t like it- especially when you don’t like it.
I am going to keep thinking on these things. Be willing to let go of the things we cling to. Reality is reality. Being willing to see it clearly seems a powerful position to be in.
Your homework, should you choose to accept it: After reading this post- maybe more than one- get out your journal and write your thoughts. Be real with yourself. What is the truth for you? What would you like to change? Where is resistance to change holding you back? Just a few questions to get you started!
And go embrace the weather today- no matter what it is!