As the saying goes...

...when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade. Or maybe a lemonade popsicle this time of year!  In my neck of the woods, this winter has been a rough one. The new year rolled in and with it came snow, wind, and frigid temperatures.  Its been no ordinary Iowa winter.  Frigid temperatures this year don't mean single digits, it means sub zero highs and wind chills down to 30 and even 40 below!  Schools have been cancelled or delayed at least once a week since the semester started, driving conditions are treacherous, if not downright dangerous, and the snow just keeps on coming.  The number one topic of most conversations? The weather. So what to do with all of this?

How about that lemonade popsicle? Yes, the external conditions are unbearable. We're all feeling the cabin fever set in.  Our cars groan when we insist on going somewhere.  Our house, our clothes, and our shoes are constantly filthy from the snow and slush.  We have to shovel the sidewalk...again...and again...and again. It takes 15 minutes to get out the door (45 if you have kids) because we have so much bundling up to do.  But it is what is.  Its winter. Its cold. Its messy. The more we complain about it, the more negative energy we feed one another. It takes a lot of energy to be negative. Being positive is much more relaxing. So why not let it go and find the good?

What could possibly be good about all of this? Take all of your complaints and make them into a positive. Your car groans from the cold when you drive it.  Be grateful you have a car to get you where you need to go. This is no time to be walking or riding a bike.
Your house is a filthy mess.  Be thankful you have a house to keep you warm. Think of cleaning your house as a way to say "Thank you for your shelter."
You have to shovel. Its exercise. Be thankful your body is capable of the task. There are people out there who would give anything to be able to shovel a sidewalk again.
Its forever and a day to get out the door. At least you have all those warm clothes in which to bundle up.

Consider this challenging winter a gift instead of a curse.  This is your reminder of all that you have.  Your reminder to be grateful and positive.  Perhaps that's why we are challenged in our lives - because we need those reminders of all that is good.

Tonight, as the wind howls and rattles my windows, as my house quivers and creeks, and as my 75 pound bulldog gets blown into a snowdrift when he tries to go outside to relieve himself, I still find myself happy and content. The fire is crackling and I'm bundled up in my ugly but incredibly warm and cozy robe and fuzzy slippers. A warm dinner is cooking. I've been playing games and snuggling with my daughter and my hubby before taking a time out to write this. Our dog has climbed out of the snowdrift and is snoring (loudly) next to my feet. We are warm, safe, cozy, and happy.

Tomorrow I'll have to brave the forces of nature and go about my regular day, away from my cozy fire and snugly bathrobe, but I'll be free from resistance, free from negativity, and warm and content on the inside.

"The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it."

~Eckhart Tolle

Namaste.