I have to admit that winter is not my favorite season.  Each year, it is harder for me to live in Michigan due to the cold, snow, ice, and did I mention driving in the winter?  I realized a few months ago that this is an area I was not applying my spiritual practices to in feeling and thinking positively.  So, now I am embracing the winter!

I have found that by having an intention to enjoy the winter, it is much easier to live with Mother Nature’s varied gifts in the form of cold and precipitation.  I feel calmer if I find myself driving in wintry conditions.  I also do not feel as cold-to-the-bone when I go outside–okay, I admit I am finally wearing hats.  Hats do nothing for my hairdo, but they are warm at least…

I’m still not at the point where I can exercise outside in January, so I’ve been pedaling away in the basement–indoor cycling.  I’m putting it out there for February that I’ll be able to run outside.  No, I don’t bike outdoors until late March.  I can work on this I suppose.

There are many gifts of winter, I’ve found.  One is that it is a time to get things done inside.  I have been working on decluttering, organizing, and cleaning.  It has been nice to get things in order.  I also enjoy knitting at night on the couch.  Winter is a great time to explore my creativity too! 

Winter also is a good “excuse” to travel some place warmer.  Time to shop for travel deals–how fun!

My tea kettle is not constantly running any more.  I’m warmer.  I have a hard time wearing socks, but this year, I’m embracing slipper socks.

So, who knows?  Maybe the hats and socks are keeping me warm and it’s not my changed attitude towards winter?  NOT!  Ha ha ha!  I had you going, didn’t I?  The thing is that positive attitude and feelings combined with action is magical.  I lovingly tell clients that one can visualize or feel until the cows come home, but it’s the action (or getting off the couch) that helps things along!  When I say action, I am not saying to try to control your manifestations, but rather, take the steps you are guided to take.  These are the steps or things to do that nag at you or constantly try to get your attention.  Even baby steps count as action.  In fact, that is how most successful people I know have made their dreams come true by taking small steps regularly.

I’m still going to embrace winter.  I still find I have to wear a winter coat, scarf, gloves, hat, but I draw the line at boots!  Ha ha ha!  I bet boots would be better than tennis shoes.  I wore my flip flops until beginning of November here in Michigan.  I can hear you say, “Brrr…”

Enjoy the winter!  (And, for others, enjoy the summer–if you live in the Southern Hemisphere!)

Bear hugs,

Lisa