Meaningful Monday: Blizzards & Other News

Greetings everyone and happy Monday! Wow…. It sure has been a while since the last time we chatted, hey? But no worries! I did not disappear off the face of the planet, I promise. I am still here and look! You are too! This is just wonderful. Now that we have established that we are both present, I must say… Welcome to This Darling Adventure, friends. It is good for us to be here today!

Alright, so what’s the latest scoop? Why on earth have I been MIA? Well, last weekend Andy and I moved into our new apartment! (YAY!) So for the last week or so we have been settling in and making our house a home. I will post pics soon, so get stoked for those. And yes, there are some pretty awesome Saturday Crafternoon projects to come!

Other than that, there are currently blizzard conditions outside! It is snowing pretty hard and visibility is down to zero. Not to worry, though. It actually makes me pretty excited because this is my first real blizzard! So while most people up here are complaining about the wind and snow, I keep staring out our living room window like a little puppy watching the snow fall (horizontally, I might add). It is awesome!

This blizzard, though… Well, it had me thinking not just about snow and the fact that northern Manitoba is getting covered in a blanket of white, but also about the storms that we often face in life. The weather up here can change pretty dramatically. One day there will be blue skies and butterflies, while the next there will be a blizzard. How true is that of life? One minute things can be hunky dory, while the next it throws you a curve ball.

In the midst of those “storms” of life it is absolutely essential to know what you can control and what you cannot. Often times we become overwhelmed when looking at the vastness of the storm we are going through. We think to ourselves, “how am I ever going to get through this?” But I challenge you, take a step back from it all and look at what you can actually control. Sure, you may not be able to change the fact that there is a storm coming, just like I cannot change the fact that a blizzard will hit Manitoba. You can, though, decide moment by moment how you will react when the storm hits.

But how?

Firstly, choose to slow down. When driving in the snow, one of the worst things you can do is keep your foot solely on the gas pedal. If you don’t ever slow down (gently) you will at some point lose control of the vehicle and wind up in the ditch. In life, sometimes we must also slow down. Generally our gut reaction is to try to get out of the storm as quickly as possible. Taking the time to slow down allows us to process what is actually going on. If we go too fast, situations can easily spiral of control and we end up in the ditch, trying to get back on the road somehow. Much of what it takes to avoid that is simply to slow down.

Secondly, choose to take shelter. This one is quite obvious, hey? No one wants to be stuck out in the open when a storm hits. Of course, in life you cannot just sit inside a warm living room and admire the storm through a window. Storms are painful. However, we can take shelter in community. Allow others to be your “safety zone” as the storms of life rage on. Doing this requires trust, vulnerability and intentionality, but it is so worth it. One of the most dangerous things to think when you are going through a storm is that you are alone. But you are not. Look for your community – those people who are safe for you – and take shelter.

Last, but certainly not least, choose to know that the storm will pass. Blizzards may last a while, but they certainly do not last forever. Likewise, the storms of life may last for days, months, or even years, but they will not last forever. Though they may leave a path of destruction and chaos, they will end at some point and you will be able to dust yourself off and stand tall again. And when it does pass, you will be able to watch the storm clouds from a distance and say “wow, I went through that?” Friends, things may look dark and gloomy now, but buck up little camper. The storm will pass.

That being said, if you are not going through a storm at this moment, no worries! That is awesome! Continue to spread sunshine and smiles to those around you. But if you are faced with a blizzard in life, please take heart and consider these things. I hope these words could encourage you wherever you may be. Friends, whether there are blue skies or storms outside, what a gift life truly is. How good it is for you to be here in this world! Have a b-e-a-utiful evening!

How’s your weather? Please feel at home to comment below! 🙂