Positive Vibes:Positive Winter Thoughts

One of my early Positive Vibe stories: 

I was born in central NY. I went to undergrad in northern NY. Outside of a few years in Costa Rica and the Central Valley of California I’ve lived most of my life in areas that call five inches of snow “just another tuesday”. Yet despite all that there are times during the winter I think, “Dang this really stinks!” I actually replace “Dang” and “Stinks” with other words but I want to keep this a G-rated column. 

I decided that this winter being positive type of guy I would look for the good things about winter in central NY.  After all, we humans do have a lot of control over our thoughts and therefore how we feel.  First off, if you like winter sports this place is like a winter wonder land. Of course I only went skiing once with ski club and that was after I missed the first four weeks with chicken pox (thanks to my little sister). There I foolishly decided I could ski down the intermediate slope with no lessons. Sadly I had no idea the chairlift didn’t stop to let you off at the intermediate slope. I ended up all the way to the top of the mountain. Where I figured, “how hard can it be to ski down rocket run?” I promptly fell, then watched one of my skis release and ski easily down the hill. I then endured one of the longest and most heckled filled walks of my life as I treked down the hill. I’m not a skiing fan I did learn whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and at least a bit wiser. 

Continuing my list of good things about winter:

Cold air can be really exhilarating. There are some studies that show cold weather can increase brain activity. Which for most people is a good thing.

Our dog loves the snow! 

We get a change of seasons! Not boring old good weather all the time! 

The cold makes our homes more affordable! 

The cold also gets rid or cuts down on mositquitos and flies and spiders and stuff. Not many bee stings in the winter! 

Shoveling when done carefully is good exercise. 

I started to think, “Yeah winter isn’t that bad at all! Especially this winter.” But then Febuary came. Despite being the shortest month of the year, February seems like the longest three months of the year. December has the holidays and January has the new year with all its hope and dreams and vaccines. Winter still seems fresh and we have football playoffs. By the time Feburary rolls around I am ready for winter to be done with. Yes, I love living in central NY. But once I wife retires, I wouldn’t mind if we spent Feburary in Costa Rica or Pasadina. But that’s still a few years away so I needed a coping mechanism for now. I started looking for good things about Feburary, the dankest part of winter.

Febuary needs to be appreciated because even though it seems long its actually the shortest month. Plus it’s the only month that doesn’t always have the same amount of days! Okay grasping at straws there a bit. But still a fun fact. Now adays we have the Super Bowl in Febuary which is kind of like a holiday for sports and betting fans. Additionally this year we even have the Austrilian Tennis Open which is nice plus. Oh and the days are getting lighter. No more 4:40 PM dark, which is only good for vampires. And spring training starts (hopefully). Plus best of all, Febuary means spring is right around the corner. We made it this far and have grown stronger!