winter perspective

Image courtesy of the talented Etsy artist, Charlene Freeman. 

I get it. It's snowing, icing, freezing, cloudy...etc. Everybody knows it, nobody has time for it and everybody is commuting in it, shoveling it or worrying about it. But for some of us, it's practically become an idol: you just LOVE to hate it. Even those who aren't naturally whiney are turning into miserable company...every year. For like 5 months.  

Allow me to help you get a grip. I know it's not always the winter wonderland you hear of in Christmas songs, but there really is a better way to live your winter life.

1) Put the whole "inconvenience" factor in perspective. You think shoveling your driveway is inconvenient? It's exercise. Hiking 10 miles to retrieve fresh water is inconvenient. Is your little commute messy and inconvenient? How about not having a job to commute to? That's inconvenient.

2) Look at it. I mean really look at it, the way you used to when you were 5. Go somewhere quiet and watch the snow. Winter is one of my absolute favorite times to be in the woods because it's SO quiet and no one else seems to get it, so I'm usually quite alone.

3) Dress appropriately. It's natural to be cold and frustrated when your wardrobe is in more denial than you are about the weather. You'll be happier if you worry less about looking fashionable and more about being warm and practical. Especially if you're spending any time outside to shovel or walk, invest in a good waterproof pair of boots, snow pants and don't forget a hat.

4) Do something fun in it. Winter sports aren't for everyone, but even if you're too crabby to ski or go sled-riding, build a little snowman! (Be sure to refer to #3)

5) Allow extra time for everything. This is a given, but often neglected aspect of those who hate winter. Don't expect your commute to take the same amount of time when you have to dig out, defrost and drive safely. Pop in a nice audio book and slooooooow dooooown.

6) Live in the moment. Everyone has a favorite season, but it's called a "season" because it is temporary. Remember that and savor all 4. 

Also remember: most of us have at least some control over where we live. If you truly can't get over the fact that you live in a temperate zone, then maybe it's time to consider relocating. Or, if you can't move, for the love of your own sanity and everyone around you: suck it up. :) Namaste!

you think you have time

"The trouble is, you think you have time." - Buddha

This profound quote graces the wall of my little yoga studio and I think about it often. If I ever chose a tattoo with words, it would be these. Recently, one of my students asked me what it meant. "Isn't spare time a good thing? How else would I make time for yoga!?" she mused.

If you take the time (no pun intended) to think about these words, the real "trouble" does not lie in free time or even idleness. It's that for as busy as we all are, we still think we have all the time in the world– time to waste –squandering it on trivial goals, meaningless jobs, toxic relationships...etc. always with our eyes on the next milestone. Our actual lives end up lost in the shuffle of our daily routine because we think we have this TIME. 

Especially when you're young, life seems long. The whole future is laid out ahead of you. But how quickly that can be changed (in the blink of an eye) and how futile our little plans are anyway. All the more reason to live for each breath you have.

Whether or not you've seen or heard these words before, I encourage you to think about this quote. Reflect on what it means in your life and pause to remind yourself what you're really doing here.