How To Winter

 With the unusually heavier winter, North Carolina has seen (which I love), 

I'm relishing in all things winter. 

 Last December, I read an article by

Dr. Kari Leibowitz, who, in the winter, moved to a small village in Norway 

where there are months when no one sees the sun.

She studied the people and how winter negatively affects them.

Big News: It doesn't. 

Why?

Because they know how to winter.

So I bought the book and devoured it.

She was saying everything I already believed in!

Society has taught us to dislike and fear winter and the cold, dark days. 

How often have we complained about winter weather, 

mainly as a way to start conversations?

Just today, I went into a store and was greeted by an employee who said to me,

"Is still yucky and miserable out there?" 

At first, I wanted to just agree because, you know, that's what we do,

but then I said,

"Oh, yes, and I love it.  It's so cozy and fun."

Then the shocked employee said,

"Ya, you know, it was cool to see snow on the ground; I haven't

seen snow in a long time."

Then, in my head, I was like, see, that wasn't so hard to admit.

Winter is magic.

I love how everything is dormant.

I love picturing animals, flowers, buds, blossoms, and grass

sleeping sounding in the dirt.

It's their beauty sleep before months of flourishing.

As a culture, we've been trained to hate winter.

Dr. Leibowitz said,

"When we expect winter misery, every shiver, soggy commute, 

or gray morning leaps out at us, confirming our fears and

 etching our mindsets more deeply.

 But when we expect winter wonder, our attention 

and behavior reorient accordingly."

In my life, the cold reminds me to light candles 

to make everything in my house glow in a warm haze.

It reminds me to sit down and read picture books or any book.

The cold influences my dinner choices; I make soups,

cook bread, and warm sandwiches.

Going outside and driving allows me to appreciate the world

 around me, whether wet with rain or covered in snow,

 and I enjoy its unique beauty. I also love being cozy in my car.

The dreary grey mornings give me a chance to make my 

favorite tea and work while listening to cozy music.

In my opinion, winter is full of opportunity, 

The arrival of winter changes

us from focusing on things we can't do to things we can do!

And things we can enjoy!

Dr. Leibowitz goes on to say,

"We imagine winter's favorite pleasures; 

our favorite sweaters, steaming mugs of tea,

 crisp morning walks.

Focusing on what we look forward to can strengthen the mindset 

that winter will be fun. We can cultivate positive wintertime mindsets 

by targeting our expectations about the season, welcoming winter deliberately, 

preparing for the season proactively and imagining what delights lie ahead. 

The act of looking forward can change winter before it starts."

This is why I change all the bed linens before it gets cold,

it's why I buy packs of white candles in bulk on October 1st,

it's why we chop and stack wood on our porch before Halloween, even if it's not 

cold yet, we are prepping for winter, so when January and February

(North Carolina's coldest months) come around, and the dreary days linger, 

my family can relish the sight of a fireplace roaring in the living room

while hearing the crackle of the wood 

while in the kitchen working on homework or making dinner.

See, why is it so important to know how to winter?

AMEN.

(I have a lot more to say on this)