Another Gloomy Day

Well, it’s another gloomy day in January, as I struggle to find any highlights to brighten my mood.  I look up to the sky and the gray clouds spread thickly without any shed of light.  Now mind you, I am actually one of those strange individuals that prefer gray skies over blue, and welcome the rain over sunshine.  Yet, why do I feel so bummed and down?  It can’t be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because I worship the gray skies and winter days.  So, then what can it be?  Simply explained as any Midwestern knows, at this time of year we generally have quite a few inches of snow on the ground, with several more on the way.  Could this be it?  Do I have some unnamed disorder that is opposite of SAD?  It surely makes sense to me.  I know I’m not the only one.  There are a few other comrades out there that jump for joy when we hear Winter Storm Warning, or better yet, Blizzard Warning! I so look forward to intently watching the minute by minute weather reports in hopes of that BIG storm coming my way, with school day cancellations and manic mobs rushing to the stores for staples as if the world is coming to an end.

In actuality, it isn’t the storm itself I cherish. It is the feeling that overcomes me as the powdery night approaches.  I delight in the beautiful calm and silence that travels across my neighborhood.  It is truly the most relaxing feeling when a snowstorm hits and there is only the brief moments of howling wind tossing the snow upon my windows.  I do however welcome the occasional scrape of a snow shovel reaching pavement nearby, or the slow chug of a snowblower three doors down, or the happy giggles and cheers of the children playing next door after receiving the wondrous call that school is closed tomorrow, or most importantly, the echoing Hellos and Thank Yous heard from neighbors lending a hand where they can.

Snowstorms are strange that way.  Many people complain and dread the frustrations of storms; however, it is amazing how such storms can bring compassion to the forefront and how they awaken the goodness in others.  I guess that is what I am missing.  I checked the weather reports for the coming weeks and the only snow in sight is just a slight dusting.  My son is disappointed as well as he is waiting to sled, throw snowballs, and build that snowman that we haven’t had a chance to conquer.

Oh well.  What I can say.  How can I proceed to brighten this day when all I see is black colored slush in the corners of the streets, half dead looking plants begging for a white veil to brighten them, and crunchy brownish green lawns wishing for an ivory blanket to camouflage their unsightliness.

Well, I guess I can start by expressing my delight at the peaceful dainty cardinal thanking me for the fresh seed I replenished in the bird feeder, or the comforting “see you later” from my hubby as he walked out the door for work, or the chubby feral gray cat that just acknowledged me with a satisfied lip smack for the daily dish of milk and nourishment I supplied, or the warming bear hug from my son who softly expressed “I love you mama” as he shut the door to the car this morning as I dropped him off at school.

When I think of all the wonderful things that just happened to me in the last few hours of my morning, how can I not be revitalized and inspired to wash away my negative thoughts that this is just another gloomy day and beam once more remembering that there is always something good in my day.  I just need to open my heart and mind to see and feel it.  Hey, there will be another snow day sometime in the future, but until then, I am going to remember all of the little things that make me smile everyday.

 

The Moment is now…

Today is the day I begin a new journey in life.  As January approached, and the idea of a new year set in, I realized my time is now to change.  Change my life in a way that not only makes me a better person, but also in a way to nourish my soul.  I decided to begin to write.  I have always had a passion for writing; however, life truly never gave me the opportunity to grab hold of this love. I always made excuses or wrapped myself in “career or educational writings” that were “required” writings, but not deep down explorative writings.  When I was young, I loved to write short stories, songs, poems, you name it.   Anything that came to me, I jotted down.  However, as time went on, and I became an adult, things changed.  I never seemed to have time to write or I chose my preferred sitting in front of the TV escape.  Well, this has now changed….

Back in August, I was laid off from my job.  It was a shock when it occurred, but as time crawled by, it gave me a real opportunity to explore myself and see what I really wanted to do in life.  The Wolf Moon on the 12th opened my eyes and mind, and then Friday the 13th sealed my decision.  “I need to do this”, I said to myself and that was it.  It was now real and I was not planning on turning back.

Since that moment I started planning to pursue my love of writing.  I have a deep connection to nature so I will be mostly concentrating my writings in this arena.  I have never felt more relieved and certain about my decision.  It seems as though the stars were aligned and my prayers had been finally answered to shed clarity upon me and make me believe this is the time to change my life. The moment is now and I will embrace and share my experiences with the world…