Snow to Go

To the Comment and Special Request- to write more on the post on January 23, 2012.

When the same events elicit different responses. Snow is a perfect example, that is easy to understand.

When I see snow, I feel like I did as a child. Yippy. Wow. Amazing. Soft, fluffy flakes falling in a visually artistic display of nature’s finest!

When some see snow, they feel aggravated. Ah Geez. what now? Go away, they don’t want to see another flake, they wish it away before it arrives and resist it the entire time it is visible.

What causes the same event to elicit a different experience? Your nature, your past experiences, whether you carry the “optimism trait”, degree of lifetime snow exposure, expectations of your employer, downtime options, and your choice of perspectives.

Are you an essential employee? If the Governor declares a state of emergency, anyone who is NOT a fireman, police officer, rescue worker, nurse, doctor, etc. will get a ticket if found on the highway without a “business purpose”.

Does that relieve your mind or irritate you? I am happy to stay put! The news channels show videos of cars spinning or stalled on snow in the midst of ice-laden, cold and I wonder- why aren’t they home? Recently, I was trapped in place between snow zones.

Perhaps, it’s your view of mother nature and the level of respect she garners. I hold her in high esteem and feel that snow is part of the circle of life. It helps prepare the earth, purify the atmosphere, control life cycles of plants and animals, and keep the balance.

Should I stay or should I go now?  Snow, snow, go away or snow to go, ready set, let’s play or kick back by the fire in a warm spot to enjoy the winter wonderland.

So, does the sight of snow thrill, frighten, frustrate, elevate, engage, excite, soothe, satisfy, delight, discourage or some combination of these or more?

The same is true of every event. Some of us are drawn to the very things that others are repulsed by. Some of us find meaning and purpose where others find drudgery and worthlessness. Some of us say we don’t care and are indifferent. Indifference is the hardest place to find middle ground or understand how the same events elicit different responses.  At least if we can feel, we can find out why and compare notes.  Isn’t that apathy? Actually, apathy is a personality change due to a general medical condition according to the DSM-IV-TR. It is not healthy!!

Snow looks different to different people. Let me describe the view from two different sets of eyes. I wonder what animals think!

Person A. I hate snow.:( What do people see in it? It’s cold. I don’t have the right clothes to wear, so if I go out in it, I’m wet and freezing before I can get back in. The dogs don’t like to go out to potty. Who eats snow cream? It’s nasty. The stuff comes from outside, who knows what kind of toxins are in the atmosphere and you eat that stuff? Why? I don’t like being hit by snowballs and I am definitely NOT going to stick my hands in the cold stuff to ball one up to throw. It’s a nuisance. The only thing that could be worse is if the power goes off, then I am really going to be upset. I never liked it as a child and I don’t like it now!

Person B: I love snow.:) It’s beautiful, like a postcard. It’s perfect and makes everything else look good. It’s like a blank slate. You can see impressions of tiny feet from different animals in undisturbed areas or look back at your own footprints. Kids can be seen in snowsuits poking about, stepping in drifts and throwing it in the air with a few soft snowballs tossed about. The dust of snow  is like pixie dust! It’s magical.  You get a surprise day off work, when you least expect it. Everything is still and quiet outside & the plants look like artsy. I always loved it as a child and I still do now! Snowmen come alive, everything is crisper and more alert.

Person C: I don’t mind snow. I’m sort of neutral. It’s beautiful and I get to stay home. I have all the food and beverages I need. It’s warm inside and that’s where I’m staying. I will just wait for the roads to clear and be back in business.  No problem. Like to see it come and glad to see it go.

Do you get the picture? The same scene, the same situation, the same event- elicits a different reaction, a different experience and a different viewpoint. Do you see how we can decide to see alternative perspectives and actually ask.

Its not automatically the same!!

I wish my aunt who loves this song, captured on a harmonica in the snow by Spivey, could use a computer!! Amazing:)