Grin And Bear It!

How fragile is your ego or your spirit? Are there times when you think you need to have the word 'FRAGILE' stamped in red on your forehead so that people will know to tread carefully? Do you find yourself easily frazzled when your routine gets out of whack?

 

We're coming up on the tail end of a long cold winter. Many are ready and more than eager to feel the warm sun on their skin again. But sometimes this time of year can find even the perkiest of people a little down in the dumps or easily agitated. For several the answer is a simple car drive to Florida or someplace where a heavy winter coat isn't required. The warmth will make them feel better both physically and mentally. Yet 'getting away' isn't an option for everyone. So, what do the rest of us do?

 

Perhaps take an afternoon off; treat yourself to a movie or lunch with a friend? Give yourself permission to immerse yourself with whatever distraction warms your heart (if not your skin); maybe reading a book on the couch, getting a pre-spring mani/pedi, or going window shopping at the mall to see all the bright spring colors adorning the store window displays. Whatever distraction brings you hope.

 

Checking the calendar I can see that officially there are only 17 days remaining until spring, yet I looked out my window today and saw snow, sleet, rain, and freezing rain. I half expected an old-fashioned pony express rider to fly by my window; battling all the weather elements.

 

I have hope for the sunshine to return and hope for the temperatures to warm up and hope that the darkened dirty mounds of snow will get a little smaller each day.

 

What brings you hope on these dreary days?

Dealing With The Winter Blues

Some people love the winter season ... the cold, the fresh fallen snow, the pristine crispness of the white fluffy landscapes ... others - not so much. When I was a child I remember having snow blanket the ground from December til March. We would build a snow fort and a snow man and they NEVER melted. Just when they would begin to shrink a fresh snow would fall and we'd build them back up again. But this winter seems to have been one of the harshest so far that I can remember in a long time. We've had snow, we've had ice, we've had sub-zero wind chills, and the kids have had their share of snow days from school. The ironic part of it is that it's still only January.

I know many who are anxious to get away to some place warm and sunny where they don't have to look at sloppy, slushy, dirty snow or be on the look out for pot holes. Are you one of the many who've taken the 'Taco Bell' approach and 'run for the border'? Or are you still here with the rest of us trying to make the best of it?

 

It's understandable that being cooped up for the last few weeks could be depressing for those you aren't able to get out because it's too cold or too slick. I can't imagine not getting out at some point just to get some fresh air at least. Last week I stopped off to pay a visit to my mother as well as a friend from church, neither of which are able to get out in this weather. I brought birthday flowers to one and some laughter and conversation to the other.

How are you dealing with this winter so far? What has helped you to maintain perspective? The easiest thing I can think of is communication with others and sharing laughter. Go ahead and make jokes about the pot holes, the snow, the slow commutes in traffic ... whatever helps. They say that laughter is the best medicine. I saw a photo posted recently on a Facebook page for 'Make Macomb Your Home'. I don't know who the photographer was to give them the proper credit, but their picture certainly made me laugh.