Living in the Midwest, we see all types of weather throughout the year. Cold, hot, rainy, windy, snow, humidity and so on.
Last week, we received a lot of snow. One cold day, with snow flurries in the air, I was outside using my snowblower to clean my driveway. The temperature was 25 degrees at the time. My hands were cold and my nose was running. I was outside about an hour and dreamed about being on vacation in a warm climate.
Yesterday, it was also 25 degrees outside. While walking in the cold, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. It felt warm and wonderful to be outside. My nose didn’t run and there was a soft smile on my face. It felt good to be outside.
These two days, with similar temperatures, brought about very different reactions in me. It was not the work of using a snow blower (for I like to do it) but rather everything around the two 25 degree cold days that brought about different feelings. The snow and clouds made everything dreary. The sun and blue sky made the temperature essentially irrelevant.
There is a lesson to be learned here. How we view things around the problem or situation we are facing can make a huge difference in your attitude and approach. No matter how difficult.
It’s interesting how cold days can sometimes bring us an awareness that turns out to be a simple gift for us to share.