The Women's Institute of Maine

Winter is a time in Maine where you either resist the cold, the accumulating snow, the sense of isolation, or you embrace if for the gifts it offers.  Having lived in Maine my entire life (except for a few years in childhood which I barely remember), I have a history of approaching winters mostly with resistance. I have at last begun to grasp the opportunity of winter, realizing that our primary reality is not sourced from outside of ourselves, but from within.  This goes counter to what we are told and sold incessantly in our society.  We are again and again persuaded to search outside of ourselves for the source of happiness.  Massive industries count on us buying this message, particularly personal to women, the fashion and cosmetics industries. As such, we internalize an overall belief system which is reactive, one in which we believe we can only be happy when our outer circumstances provide the necessary ingredients. 

What I am embracing this winter is the exact opposite.  The deeper truth I am confirming is that it is primarily our inner perspective which determines our happiness, not the outer world.  Since we've been conditioned to focus on the outer, the inner sourcing of happiness is no longer automatic for most people, but must be consciously directedand earned.  We create it with every choice and every thought.  In every circumstance, one can find something to either celebrate or bemoan, and the simple truth is that we can choose to focus on the elements which are worthy of celebration.  This is not a polyanna brush stroke or fantasy, but becomes our truest felt reality with practice. We do it because it feels good to do so and because it really does make for a happier life.  As we dwell more and more in gratitutde and appreciation, this attitude becomes a powerful magnetic attractor to draw more of the same into our lives.  As we practrice going against the societal tide of always seeking what's wrong, it becomes easier and easier to see and exerience all that's right.  And there is always something that is right.  

I am writing to you on a snow day.  My husband and son are snowbound with me and we each are finding our own ways to celebrate this day of playing hooky.  What a gift it is to be given a ready excuse to get off the task treadmill and to take a breather.  We can give ourselves permission to do this without a snow storm, of course.  What is beautiful about it is that nature is a willing partner, offering us a gentle reminder to partake in rest and relaxation, to dwell in our bountiful inner worlds, to daydream and refresh ourselves.  We deserve to luxuriate and to build up our immunity to a world that is obsessed with doing, a world which magnifies and glorifies negativity.  We know that spring will come one day and we will be called into action and activity once more...but for now, time for another cup of coacoa and daydreams borne on joyously floating, dancing, luminescent crytaline flakes of snow! 

Love this day.  Love your uniqueness.  Love your ability to experience the very best of both in every choice you make.