Winter approaches, stealing upon our drought-ridden lands like a sleek temptress of -Wait, what?
Sorry, I was channeling my novelist side there for a moment. It happens.
It's getting cold again. Dreary. So I want to address a saying that absolutely drives me mad.
"I love winter!"
Hahahaha! What a load of tosh!
Now, don't get me wrong, I fully understand that those of you who claim to love winter fully believe this sentiment. And you may actually enjoy some of the more pleasant aspects of winter. Some people find snow beautiful. Certainly the cold helps cut down on insects. Many people enjoy the holidays that are associated with winter.
But let me tell you. No one loves winter. No, what they love is the ability to defeat winter. Oh yes . . . think about it. It's freezing cold outside, ponds are frozen solid, snow sits on the ground, the world is in an almost still silence.
Yet you are tucked cozily away inside a well insulated home, in front of a fireplace or a heater. Or perhaps your whole house has heat. Food is easily obtained, a short walk to the cupboard or a careful drive in a heated vehicle to the store. These are the wonders of our modern society so many take for granted. These marvels make it possible for people to claim to love winter.
Take away these things. See how much you love winter then.
Huddle under a scrap of cloth, in a thin shelter with no heat. Go hungry and shiver, using valuable calories trying to stay warm. Visualize this, for a brief moment, for me?
Many people, even in our modern country, still experience this each year. Do you think they love winter?
It's okay to love the "defeat" of winter. That's one of the great things about being as "advanced" as we are, as a species. Just acknowledge it for what it is, and take a brief moment to appreciate all the things you have, that others may not.
Never forget, that no matter how bad you might have it, there is always something to be grateful for.
No comments:
Post a Comment