And to think that I saw little birds in February, singing their songs from the tops of the trees! I had seen birds all winter, but they were quiet. It wasn’t particularly warm that day, only a few degrees above zero, but the sun was shining. I like to believe that the promise of summer was what made them happy, a little bit of sunshine and the hope of better days ahead.
Many of us struggle when January, February and March start to meld together into one long, cold month that seems to last forever. The “outdoors” is a frozen tundra. We’re cold, we’re pale, and our Vitamin D levels are low. The indoor activities we once enjoyed have now become routine. All hope seems lost as we come to the end of February, knowing we have to continue to endure this for several more weeks.
Cue the birds! One of my favorite parts of spring and summer is listening to the birds chatter in the morning. Their little songs conjure thoughts of sunshine and warmer weather, and Mother Nature painting the landscape with all the colors of the rainbow. As I listened to those birds sing last week, I imagined the robins in the tree in front of Nova House, their red breasts vibrant against the green buds. I thought of the pink flowers that bloom from that tree as spring transitions into summer.
These memories got me thinking further. I also remembered the smell of the ground after a nice rain and the feeling of walking though the grass barefoot. I also remembered the taste of marshmallows burnt over the campfire. All these are moments of mindfulness that I can take with me throughout the remainder of winter!
Winter won’t last forever! Take a moment to reflect on what your perfect summer day looks like. Imagine the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch. Fully immerse yourself in that day. Find something in the now that brings you to that day. Use it when you’re feeling hopeless, and remember that brighter, warmer, better days are ahead!