Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

It’s the first day of winter and here in Denver we’re having a snow storm.  The area where I live has received 11 inches of snow thus far and it’s still snowing.  I look out and it’s beautiful, but then again, I look at the driveway and have this deep sense of dread.  The snow shovel has got to come out of hiding and I’ve got to get out in the blustery cold…yuk!

So what is it about the weather that brings me to write this post?  Just the thought that something so beautiful can cause so much strife.  Also, if I do nothing it means I’m  trapped in the house till spring, not a pleasant thought (although I do have enough food for quite a while in the freezer).

On the other hand, if the snow stops I often find shoveling to be quite a Zen experience.  I love when it’s very quiet outdoors and I’m out there, just me and the snow, going back and forth shoveling from one end of the driveway to the other creating mounds of snow on the lawn.  It’s one of those opportunities to spend time with the elements and know that I can go indoors any time I want.

So are you wondering where I’m going with all of this?

Nature is unpredictable and so are our lives.  Yours evidently surprised you when the doctor gave you your diagnosis.  I know that at times treatment can seem insurmountable, like the 12 inches of snow on the driveway, but we have to learn to take it one shovel full at a time.  Treatment for any chronic or life-altering illness is about pacing yourself and being methodical in your approach.  Creating a healing space will give you the edge, just as I create a Zen space when shoveling the driveway.  It’s about creating a space for personal reflection.

Getting through the angst of the diagnosis and the treatment often requires some mental and spiritual elbow grease.  We have to do the work on ourselves to help the body, mind, and spirit work more harmoniously creating a haven for health and healing.  When we provide the space for wellness we’re more inclined to make better decisions about our own well-being and that encourages the immune system to perk up and take note of your efforts.