Winter is coming in the northern hemisphere. Even without living near snowy mountain regions like Colorado, there is a child-like wonder to it. Cold weather is capable of bringing people together, whether for love, warmth, comradery, or an event of some kind. That holiday season is often the only time that families come from all over to get together, share stories, gifts, and dinners.
There is a magic to the air after the first winter breeze goes through. People at least for a time seem nicer; kids and adults often get some vacation time, too. This winter season, I implore you to do more, give more, and open your heart to new experiences, people and places.
With the change of season comes new beginnings and even if things are getting you down, if you are anything like me, then you love the beverages that come hand in hand with the cold weather. Hot cocoa, hot cider and peppermint-spiced lattes can be absolutely to die for. Although expensive, the peppermint lattes from Starbucks are an easy weakness to my current dietary plan.
I am a big fan of giving during the holiday season. With my voice, I will probably never win American Idol, but that doesn’t stop me from going to senior centers and old folks homes to sing Christmas Carols and drop off little gifts to all the wonderful elderly people. Volunteering can be its’ own reward as giving joy to others can often give you a good feeling as well.
Celebrating the Christmas season was always a big thing in my household, with my father and I often spending it together. Although my mother had broken the news of Santa Clause early, when I was just six years old, the spirit of time never left me. I have a lifelong tradition of watching Christmas stories like the old stop motion Rudolph, the year without a Santa Claus, etc, thanks to my father. When I have my own family, I plan on doing the same.
Another fun thing in winter with snow and such are all the activities you can do outside. While growing up, all the neighborhood children and I would get together in a block wide snowball fight that would last for a few hours. That went on for almost ten years until one of the neighborhood kids decided that it was fun to put chunks of ice hidden in the snow. We would all have a competition on who built the best snow forts and snow men. Although I won’t do it now because I know about the chemicals and other pollutants that accumulate into the snow, I used to catch them on my tongue all the time.
Winter also provides some of the best time of the year to do sports. I have a bad sense of balance when doing either snowboarding, skiing, or ice skating and land either on my butt or face. Despite my predicament, I still do all three from time to time and am fascinated by people who are able to do tricks and such on their snowboards especially.
What do you love about it?
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