The Discipline of Winter

It just occurred to me that winter presents a few challenges  for us all. Not the least of which is the adjustment necessary to withstand the cold temperatures.

Ron and I are out every day with our dog Sophie. Whether it is raining, hot and humid, cool or freezing cold, we are out there.

In the fall we notice that the temperature is a little cooler and the winds are becoming stronger. But you know what? The 'adjustment' to these changes is so gradual it is hardly noticeable.

There is no sudden change that the body has to adjust to. Sure, it's not as if we don't feel that freezing wind hitting our face and making our finger tips feel like they are no longer part of our hands, especially when we are taking pictures.

We do! But we have 'adjusted' to these changes gradually over a few months.


This leads me to the second most noticeable 'winter affliction'.........complaining. Everywhere we turn, everybody gets in on it. Let's feel better by complaining about the weather! Sometimes it does help, I have to admit, to just 'let it rip' with a flurry of expletives condemning the blasted cold....or in the summer, that horrid humidity.

I think we are always going to find things about which to complain. It is 'human nature' after all to want comfort and feel good all the time.

On the other hand, if we stopped and thought about it though, complaining is really a waste of time and sets in motion a pattern of negativity that will lead us nowhere fast....except to encourage more complaining.


So next time you are about to complain, stop for a second and ask yourself, do I really want to go down that slope?

Or do you want to take another route? Like looking at the 'complaint' and 'turning' it around into something more positive.

Like watching the birds who have one thing on their 'minds'.........food! What cold?!


Or for a LAST resort.........

 

It really worked!