Tired of the weekly snow storms, biting wind, limited daylight hours, delayed trains, grey slushy streets, and cranky people? I sure feel that way. Every time I watch a commercial about escaping to the Caribbean, I am one step closer to booking a vacation and calling it a day. However, unless I permanently relocate to a tropical location, once I leave behind the warm beaches and colorful cocktails, this solution will last all but a few days. As I sigh in resignation, I hear the weather channel announcing yet another possibility for snow and watch the sky get ominously grey. This is ridiculous, how could it possibly snow again? This is insane. I can’t take this anymore! Just then, I recognize the petulance in my thinking. No matter how much I wish that the weather would take a better turn, neither I nor anybody else is able to control this fate. Demanding that things be different and announcing that I cannot stand further bad weather only add to my frustration and compromise my ability to handle day-to-day challenges that are made more difficult by the weather.
So, how do I get through this winter despite the inconvenience and irritation? I can acknowledge how unfortunate it is for me and everyone else to have to cope with the weather but that it is tolerable. I tolerated it for the past few weeks, the many years before this, and will most certainly be able to tolerate it again. Further, there are people who actually enjoy the weather. I remember watching children cheerfully stomping in grey slushy puddles, people snapping pictures of snow-lined side-walks, and aloof New York neighbors helping each other with shoveling. There are special moments to be treasured despite this dreaded weather. If there is no way to avoid this weather and all its hassles, rather than willfully and unproductively focusing on the negatives, I could adjust my perspective, and highlight the positives in this situation.
Next up: Amy Horowitz, M.S. on Disagreement on the Agenda
