This morning we woke up to another day of whirling snowflakes. We are expecting 2 to 4 inches. It's so beautiful!
As I walked from my car into the office, I ran into two different people that complained about the snow. I smiled and nodded with empathy. I've tried to hate on Michigan winter. I'm sometimes tempted to join the majority that bitch nonstop about our Midwest cold and snow to, you know, fit in. They generally start as the first autumn leaf floats to the ground and build to a crescendo during February and March. The remnants of this cold weather bitch fest go on into late spring when the temps finally become stable.
The thing is, I love winter. Just like I love spring, fall and even summer. I like the variation and stark difference of each season. I wouldn't like living in a place where all the seasons were the same, the type of clothing didn't change and the food was mostly summer salads and barbecue. Boring…..
I love sweaters and sweatshirts, scarves and mittens. I mean, barbecue is nice. But so are soup and chili, stews and hot cocoa. I love a brisk bundled up walk on a snowy winter’s day followed by that steaming cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows on top. Or, sitting by an out of doors fire with friends sipping warm mulled wine (I've never actually had warm mulled wine, but I'll bet it's awesome).
I’m all for making the best of it. Kind of like I do when it’s 95 degrees with a heat index of 110 (To be fair, I have air conditioning). My point is, there is something beautiful everywhere for those with the eyes to see.
I wrote this a few years back. I’m feeling it today.
As I walked from my car into the office, I ran into two different people that complained about the snow. I smiled and nodded with empathy. I've tried to hate on Michigan winter. I'm sometimes tempted to join the majority that bitch nonstop about our Midwest cold and snow to, you know, fit in. They generally start as the first autumn leaf floats to the ground and build to a crescendo during February and March. The remnants of this cold weather bitch fest go on into late spring when the temps finally become stable.
The thing is, I love winter. Just like I love spring, fall and even summer. I like the variation and stark difference of each season. I wouldn't like living in a place where all the seasons were the same, the type of clothing didn't change and the food was mostly summer salads and barbecue. Boring…..
I love sweaters and sweatshirts, scarves and mittens. I mean, barbecue is nice. But so are soup and chili, stews and hot cocoa. I love a brisk bundled up walk on a snowy winter’s day followed by that steaming cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows on top. Or, sitting by an out of doors fire with friends sipping warm mulled wine (I've never actually had warm mulled wine, but I'll bet it's awesome).
I’m all for making the best of it. Kind of like I do when it’s 95 degrees with a heat index of 110 (To be fair, I have air conditioning). My point is, there is something beautiful everywhere for those with the eyes to see.
I wrote this a few years back. I’m feeling it today.
THE ZEN OF WINTER
"ZEN - enlightenment that is attained through meditation, self-contemplation, and intuition."
I marvel over the quiet beauty that is the season of winter, my muse.
I marvel over the quiet beauty that is the season of winter, my muse.
Dignified, regal, elegant in its simplicity, winter is the soul of reflection. It is the contemplative season, ceasing outward activity for tranquil introspection, keeping sweet secrets that will surface in the spring in a vibrant rush of new life.
Winter is the guru of cyclical nature, leading us to slow down, reflect and savor the warmth of hearth and home, family and friends and to forge a mental path for the days to come when time will be stolen by other outdoor activities. Relish the solitude, the chance for brief intervals of hibernation; to recharge and become enlightened.
Winter is the guru of cyclical nature, leading us to slow down, reflect and savor the warmth of hearth and home, family and friends and to forge a mental path for the days to come when time will be stolen by other outdoor activities. Relish the solitude, the chance for brief intervals of hibernation; to recharge and become enlightened.
The Zen of Winter
