As colder weather rolls into Michigan, I am reminded how much I dislike it. But it occurs to me that I haven’t always disliked it. In fact, I’m pretty sure I used to love playing in the snow and staying out in the cold until my extremities were numb and snotsicles bridged the gap between my nostrils and upper lip. And it wasn’t too long ago that I remember poking fun at my dad and other ‘old people’ because of their intolerance of the cold and propensity to leave us all behind as they fled south for months at a time. Deep down I’m sure it was just envy…for not having the freedom myself to disappear to the land of milk and honey (or is it Geritol and ginger-ale?) for months at a time. And although I don’t see him nearly as often as I should in the months he’s nearby, the bigger reason for my deflections-disguised-as-harassment-about-the-weather is simply that I miss him while he’s so far away. Perhaps a little reluctant to admit I am starting share his disdain for the cold, too.
It’s true…as if right on schedule to reinforce the irony of it all, I am finding the older I get, the less I care for the cold. And the more I’m saddened to say that I, too, may soon appreciate the simplicity of Velcro shoes and the golf cart as a primary mode of transit. So as I try to do in other areas of my life (at least better than I used to), I am taking a hard look at why I have done things, why I do things, or why I feel the way I do about certain things. Nature’s changing season is just the latest timely reminder of my own changing nature.
In the Midwest, the thick heat of summer gives way to the crispness of autumn air. It blesses us with the splendor of colorful leaves, tastes of cider, and the smell of pumpkin spice. Another blessing of this change in season is the transition itself. Not only does the transition prepare the environment for the harshness of winter, it similarly prepares us by moving our bodies from dramatic heat to bitter cold by gradual acclimation as we pass through a milder autumn.
So what’s the problem? With that reasoning I should have no problem acclimating to the biting wind, cold, snow, and other extremes of winter. I think one the things it boils down to is preparation; wearing the right clothes the right way, having the right equipment and resources, and having the right attitude. I have concluded that when facing extremes – whether in life, temporary circumstances, or environment – an increase in discomfort often involves a decrease in (or lack of) preparation.
Consider this. If you grew up in a ‘four-season’ part of the world, you probably had a mom, dad, grandparent or other adult who bundled you up like the Michelin Man before going out in the cold, making you virtually impervious to the elements. I remember everything from the mittens attached by a string running from one sleeve to another, to wearing bread bags on my feet inside my boots to keep my feet toasty and dry (personally I think my mom was conducting some early study in the greenhouse effect with those bags). But those things worked. Buttoned up, zipped up, no exposed skin. Hats, mittens, scarfs, the right coat, pants, socks, boots, and long underwear. You could stay out for hours and not be bothered by the coldest of days. Even now, when I actually wear appropriate clothing and accessories for the conditions, the weather really doesn’t bother me so much.
The problem is I usually don’t. I don’t prepare properly. I don’t wear the nice warm stocking cap because it will mess up my hair. I don’t wear the thick socks and warm boots because they’re cumbersome, uncomfortable, and it’s just a pain to change into other shoes when I get to my destination. I seldom wear gloves, scarf, or even zip my coat up. Is it any wonder I have started to dislike cold weather? I should either dress for the weather or stop complaining about it. And while I think there are a few other lessons we can take from this, I want to keep this at a reasonable length, respecting your time and attention. So with the assurance to continue this subject in a second part soon to come, let me wrap up with these points.
In the same way the changing seasons prepare us for more extreme conditions yet to come, and properly outfitting ourselves prepares us for the extreme conditions we venture out into, properly preparing ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and socially can help us through some of the extreme conditions of life.
Until the next edition, prepare for the changing season by bundling up, wrapping up, zipping up, breaking out your bread bags, and above all never forgetting how much fun it was to be a child. Keep that youthful spirit alive!
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3.1)
Get Strong. Be Strong. Stay Strong.