Week of February 8th

The National Weather Center said last weeks winter storm was a “powerful nor’easter”. Six days later the East Coast of the United States was blessed with, yet again, a nor’easter. Such storms have always been a part of winter in the Northeast. For some, two significant storms result in a great snowball fight and larger than life snowmen. For others, two nor’easters in one week, during a pandemic, feels particularly overwhelming.  The forces of nature are providing many of us significant challenges.

For some the challenges we face are external. Our commute is slower, our heat is more costly, and our sidewalks need to be shoveled. For some the forces of nature push up against our internal obstacles. Our mood is lower, we are noticing more loneliness and our movement is minimal.

How do we manage our mood when nature and the environment are so intense? We use the opportunity to practice mindfulness of the energy, formidability and color of our environment. It can also be a time to soothe ourselves with warmth, playful activities and cooking.  Above all we should practice radical acceptance of the normative forces of nature and take on the challenges it presents.