Sunday, December 22, 2024

Choosing to be free and laughing in the cold!

December 10, 2009 by  
Filed under Featured Posts, Practice

snowman

My children are having the greatest time experiencing snow for the first time.  I think Shane, my son, must have thrown at least a hundred snowballs yesterday!   And he could not resist jumping into the snow mounds piled high by the snowplows!   While I was out at a Festival of Carols, they had their own celebration – they made their first snowman!  Excitement overflowed as they related to me how much fun it was, for they opened the front door, had music playing and allowed the doggies to run free in and out of the house while they constructed Frosty in between snowball fights.

“OMG….I am soooo looking forward to feeling freezing cold!!! NOT!!!!” wrote my Facebook friend, beneath a photo I had posted of the snow in my front yard.  What a contrast to the joy with which my children have greeted the snow!

I responded to my friend: “Well,
here’s what is working for me. I accept that it will be cold. I look forward to the fun parts of it – like the snowman and how much my doggies love it. I make sure to dress warm – no HOT! layers galore. And then I smile and laugh! ho ho ha ha ha”.
In every situation we face we have a choice.  We can decide if it will be positive for us or negative.  This is what determines the quality of our lives – our choices.  So, yes, it’s cold; really cold.  And it will get colder; much much colder.  But I have a choice – will I be free and laughing, or will I be miserable.  That is up to me whether wind, rain, sleet, snow, sub-zero temperatures, or scorching heat.  It’s all up to me!  And here’s a tip – if you are not sure what to choose, just think “What would a child do” – chances are they would be choosing the free and laughing way!

Comments

14 Responses to “Choosing to be free and laughing in the cold!”
  1. natalie marshall says:

    I totally agree with this one. Reading this brings back “total recall” of my first winter in NY 25 years ago as a teenager. Our backyard was tranformed into a winter wonderland….awesome and breathtaking!!!!!! Please Please enjoy it with everthing it brings!!!!!!

  2. Ula says:

    Way to go! The choice is always ours regarding the way in which we respond to the promptings of life. We can mope, be angry or be sad in response to our experiences, but I am sure that it will make us much happier if we just enjoy life as it presents Itself in all Its glorious and magnificent manifestations.

  3. freeandlaughing says:

    Thanks Ula. There is always some good to find. Even if it’s that “I am breathing”.

  4. freeandlaughing says:

    Thanks Natalie. I recall so vividly my first snowfall 26 years ago. I wondered how I would feel – it was just as magical! Magic in every moment! If we look for it, we will certainly find it

  5. gloria moodie says:

    Marguerite I ran away,had 0 tolerance this year, but enjoy every
    minute of it and have a wonderful christmas tou and the kids and the
    doggies..I am soaking up the sun and will be back in the spring
    love gloria moodie

  6. junie says:

    well am glad that you are free and laughing and probably frolicking in the snow. a person who complains about the snow would probably complain about the sunshine too, am really glad the children choose to to ignore the negative aspect of the weather and instead had a grand time free and laughing in the cold..that was great…

  7. Carole Orane Andrade says:

    Yayyyy! Free-zing and Laughing….way to go!

  8. freeandlaughing says:

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! BIg belly laugh – LOVE that pun – free(zing) and laughing!!!!!!!! Only my dear brilliant sister ……

  9. freeandlaughing says:

    Junie – you hit the nail right on the head! Complaining is a state of mind, and complaining people will ALWAYS find something to complain about in every situation!

  10. freeandlaughing says:

    Gloria – just be wherever you need to be – FREE AND LAUGHING! We have the beautiful gift of choice, and we are free to choose our thoughts – and where to spend the winter! So, enjoy (and I may just see you in the warm sunshine over Christmas)!

  11. ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID says:

    When the cabin fever sets in around February, March and April,hopefully, you will still be laughing. Nuff respect !!

  12. freeandlaughing says:

    Now, why are you going all the way to February, March and April already? You see how much we live in the future? Living in the present is actually very difficult, and we spend very little time there. Which is why we are so miserable! I could have spent the day worrying about February, March and April – instead, I chose to enjoy the day and all that it brought.

  13. ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID says:

    Okay, you are right !! I stand corrected.Please enjoy the day. Nuff respect!!

  14. freeandlaughing says:

    Will do – you have a great day yourself – free and laughing!