No Waiting

/ Ann Coleman

IMG_3233I’m not sure why I look forward to Spring so much every year, but I do.  I may love the beauty of a new snowfall, but by the time March winds down, I really don’t want to actually see a new snowfall anymore.  This time of year, all I want to see are lots of flowers, buds on trees, and the sun filtering through the bedroom blinds when I wake up in the morning.  I want the temperatures to warm up enough that I can pack away my heavy coats and bulky sweaters, and allow me to wear shoes that don’t necessarily require socks.  I want to be outside without the cold making my nose run and turning my finger tips white.

This year is no exception:  I am ready for Spring.  The problem is, I’m still waiting.  Because even though the calendar says Spring has arrived a while ago, the Winter weather is still hanging on.  Easter Sunday was yesterday, and even though the sun did shine briefly in the morning, the day ended with sleet and snow.  Which is still on the ground.  It’s beginning to feel as if the warm temperatures and pretty flowers I’m waiting for are never going to arrive.

I don’t know about you, but when something isn’t going my way, I tend to get impatient and anxious, and maybe just a teeny bit obsessive.  I begin to focus on whatever it is that’s bothering me, and worse, I begin to believe that as soon as that particular problem is solved, everything will be just fine.  At the moment, I’m blaming my cranky mood on the fact that it’s April 2 and there’s snow and ice on the ground, and that I still have to wear my ugly knee socks in order to keep warm.  I have almost convinced myself that if the weather would just warm up, I’d be a happy camper.

Which is, of course, just plain silly.  The weather will eventually warm up and that will be a very good thing.  But I know that even when it does, I’ll have something else I’ll be fretting about, because my life (just like everyone’s) will always have its share of stress and worry.  So what exactly is the point in my waiting for these cold and gloomy days to go away before I find a way to cheer up?

The older I get, the more I realize that my happiness has much more to do with my attitude than with my environment.   I think it’s time that I become more intentional about choosing to be happy, and looking for the things that can make me happy, right here and right now.  I know that a positive attitude can work wonders for people dealing with serious problems, so why can’t it work for someone who is just plain sick of Winter?

I think it’s time I put on my prettiest sweater and my warmest coat and went for a walk on this too-cold Spring day, just because I can.  And if I look for them, I bet I’ll even see some of those hardy Spring flowers blooming in the snow.

82 thoughts on “No Waiting”

  1. Intentionally choosing happy is extremely freeing. A positive attitude is always the best medicine in any situation. Lovely post and inspires me to keep smiling even though there is a snow storm moving in. 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌸🌸🌸🌸

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  2. I also noticed that Winter have a hard time to let go. In Canada, today is actually the warmest day of the whole week to come. So my comfort is that at least at home is nice and warm. Waiting with you for the arrival of Spring.

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  3. We’re the same – Spring is stubbornly staying hidden. My frustration shows in constant rechecking of the weather forecast, just in case it has perked up, but we’ve still been out and about all weekend and enjoyed it. If you wait for a good day in Scotland you might never go anywhere!

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    • Good point! That’s sort of true here as well, although we do have more sunny days that Scotland. But whatever the weather, we just have to get out there and live our lives and have fun as best we can. And keep checking that weather channel for some good news……

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  4. Hope you had a good walk, Ann. And I think you are on to something here–often our choice is in how we respond to and meet the circumstances of our lives. Hinging our happiness on an external rarely works.

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    • That is exactly what I am discovering! The external forces are never going to align exactly to my liking, so the only thing left is to learn to be happy despite what is happening around me. I’ve learned that being aware of the many things I have to be grateful for helps a lot. And that walk was a good one! Thank you!

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  6. In the end it all boils down to attitude. If the sun fails to shine and there is an unpleasant chill in the air, we can always reach for a warm coat and brave the weather. What gain is there in complaining about something we cannot change?! Your subtitle to your blog ‘Definitely older, possibly wiser….’ fits here like in so many other posts, Ann.

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    • You are so right, Peter! It is all attitude. I just have to remember that I’m fortunate to be able to go for a walk despite the weather, when so many people aren’t. I’m working hard on that “wiser” thing….. Thanks for always being a voice of reason and support!

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    • Thanks! It has taken me a long time to realize that…we can’t control what happens to us, but we can most certainly control how we react to it, and it is our reaction that determines our mood and our outlook. I hope I will always take that walk!

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  8. And I am jealous!! A Wisconsin native, I have lived in Florida for over 45 years and miss the winter. Of course, we did have more cold days this year than in the past few years. But suddenly it is hot, which means we have a long, hot summer ahead of us. I can’t wait for my annual trip to New England at the end of October. But the old saying goes–the grass is always greener. . . (or we could say, the snow is always whiter. . .) As for your spring flowers, after all of these years I still miss the lilacs and peonies. Please write a post when they bloom!!

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    • I will let you know for sure! Right now, we just have daffodils and a few crocuses. But there are buds everywhere, and when the weather warms up, they will bloom.
      And you are so right, we always want what we don’t have. My husband and I were just talking about that: it’s cold and rainy tonight, as it has been for the past two weeks (except for when it snowed). But we were remembering three years ago, when we had a horrible heat wave and drought and would have paid any amount of money for a week like the one we just had……

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  9. This makes me grateful for the weather in my area; it’s almost sunny all year round. We are expecting the rains to come in soon too. Eventually spring will arrive at your end but in the meantime, I like your attitude!

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    • Thank you! And yes, the realization that spring will finally arrive, later if not sooner, helps a lot. In the meantime, I enjoy what I have and try to remember to be grateful for it.

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    • Jodi, I know you are facing some challenges right now, but I also know you will come through it eventually. You are one of the nicest, most giving persons I know, and whatever happens next, you will make the most of it. Meanwhile, I hope you know how many of us are rooting for you and cheering you on. And also willing to provide whatever support and encouragement you need. Be strong, my friend!!!

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  11. Nicely said. I agree. Once it’s summer, then we’re often tired of the heat, rain, whatever, and long for cooler days lol It’s hard, but it’s best to enjoy where we are as best we can 🙂

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    • You are so right! My husband and I were just talking tonight about how we were so happy when it finally rained and broke the drought we have been experiencing in the past few months. But now that it has rained steadily in the past couple of weeks, we’re complaining…. We really do need to enjoy what we have and try to be at least a bit more grateful!

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  13. Oh Ann, can’t go with you on this one. I’m sick of this weather and I want it to end. If I wasn’t married I would have been out of here.
    I wore my prettiest, most cuddly sweater to Easter dinner but it didn’t help. What I do know is that my life makes me happy but with sunshine and a warm breeze I am complete.

    Patty k

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    • No worries, Patty, you get a pass! You are so positive in so many ways, that there is nothing wrong with feeling that this weather needs to end, the sooner the better! Meanwhile, I’ll see you Wednesday when we’re walking the dogs in the cold…..

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  15. We are all in charge of our own happiness. I used to say (when in a temper as a child), “You are making me mad!” As I’ve matured I realize that no one can dictate my mood – I choose to be angry or sad or happy or contented. It really is a matter of attitude!

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    • You are so right! When we are young, we expect others to determine our moods, and blame them when our moods are not what we want them to be. I think a true sign of maturity is accepting the responsibility for our own emotions.

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  16. A wonderful read Ms Ann. Of the eighty plus days of this new year here, it has rained or snowed in over sixty of them. Being positive, I got put on my coat, snatched up the weed-eater and tried to do a little in the back yard. After a few moments the cold rain ran me back inside where I continued to look for Spring thru the front door, It was no where to be found. I guess attitude adjustment number 91 was needed. g

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  17. Great post. Yes, as Buddha says “There is no path to happiness. Hapiness is the path.” Or in this case, Spring may be! I remember that feeling of impatience when we lived in Chicago..waiting for Spring. Which usually arrived in mid May and then was gone in a blink and replaced with scorching humidity. Don’t hate me 🤣 but it is scorching hot here in Sri Lanka. We have no A.C. only fans and by midday we gotta get out of our house. Sending you some sunshine and patience. This too shall pass. Attitude. It is everything. Yes. Because life is never perfect, we have to look for small blessings each day and be grateful for each and every one of them. Present moment is all we have.

    Peta

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    • Thanks, Peta! And I agree, attitude really is everything. I want to be more happy with what I have, rather than “waiting” for something better…which usually doesn’t satisfy anyway. When we’re in the middle of a drought and heat wave, I long for chilly, rainy days. But when I have a few of them, then I want dry, warm days! Living the the present, and appreciating the present, is the only way to go.

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  19. What a great approach, Ann! I can relate to the tetchiness and irritation when things aren’t as they should be but, like worrying about something that may never happen, there are better outlets for this energy 😊. After a very slow start to autumn down in Australia, it finally appeared today with rolling mists and drizzle. Over the weekend I was bewildered at the almost summer-like warmth of the days and wondering why the seasons seemed out of alignment. Here’s hoping some of the warmer weather is heading your way soon 🌻

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    • Thanks! I’m glad you are getting to enjoy Autumn at the same time that we at least anticipate the arrival of Spring. Every season has it’s own gifts to enjoy, and I need to remember that usually, by the time I am tired of one season, another one shows up to take it’s place. Which isn’t a bad system at all.

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  20. Hey Ann. Felt the same way on Easter. I wore a chiffon blouse to church (in Connecticut) and nearly froze to death. It was hard to be upbeat yesterday when we were pounded with six inches of snow. My mood is extremely affected by the weather – always has been. I love the sun and shirt sleeve weather. But I love your post for its honesty and determination. I think you spoke for a lot of us with this one.

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    • Thank you! Like you, I tend to expect Easter to be warm and sunny, even though that’s only true about half the time here in Missouri. I wore slacks and a sweater to church this year! It’s hard not to let the weather affect our moods, but I’m learning that I can rise above it if I try hard enough. Thanks for the comment!

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  22. It’s snowing. It is snowing here hard. I am sick of winter.

    I complain about this to Scooter on our walk. He is used to my grumbling and it doesn’t bother him in the least. He simply ignores me and rolls in the snow.

    What does he know?

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  23. I’ve been in your same boat, a little down because I am anxiously awaiting some rays. I tend to fret more when I am cold and cranky (who likes sore joints?). Ah, there’s that patience idea again. You are so right; we must seek happiness. And, er, when I find sunshine….I’m one happy gal. 🙂

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  26. Loved your sentiments here Ann. I can relate but in a different way as I don’t actually want the warmth of summer to end. Our days are getting shorter and darker and the cold is seeping in and already I miss it. But like you I’ll adjust because you’re right, our moods shouldn’t be determined by the weather or our environment. Stay positive Ann, your spring flowers will be here before you know it. 🌸

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  27. There’s something about bundling up and slogging through the snow that shouldn’t be here right now, that makes flowers bloom in my soul. And I can only say this AFTER I forced myself to go out and clear the 8 inches we got overnight and today…Lol!

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    • Wow!! Eight inches is a lot. It has been crazy how many places are dealing with snow and ice right now, in areas where Spring should be warming things up a bit. But yes, we can always make the flowers bloom in our souls, can’t we?

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  28. I can SO relate to this post, Ann! I felt the same way this weekend about the winter, and really struggled to come back to my attitude about it all, and that’s the only thing we can control. Thanks for the great reminder.

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  31. “I think it’s time I put on my prettiest sweater and my warmest coat and went for a walk on this too-cold Spring day, just because I can.” I love this “putting on” of spring colors even when spring seems to be lagging. Happy walking and may you continue to find lovely crocuses amongst the snow to cheer you up.

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    • Thanks, not only for the comment, but also for getting exactly what I meant! I always keep a couple of sweaters in bright spring colors for just these sort of times: when I’m sick to death of my dark winter wardrobe, but it’s still cold out and I need warm clothes. I can celebrate spring even when it is a tad late in arriving. And those beautiful crocuses are up!!!

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  34. First I must say I miss the change of season SO much… I can’t wait to move back East. Secondly, I really do believe the whole climate thing has really changed. I remember it being so much more reliably hot come Easter and the redwings coming back around early March and that really meaning Spring was just around the corner. But my last years in NH, there were no predictors of when you could say: oh yes, Spring is here because it often seemed like it was winter right to summer…..

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  35. I completely relate to how you feel, Ann. This lingering cold and snow is taking its toll. My seasonal affective disorder is in full swing. No matter how much I sleep, it doesn’t feel enough. It’s like the cold has finally penetrated my bones and the only time I’m warm is in a hot shower or under blankets. Not to mention the perpetually gray skies. It’s like the sun hates us here in the Northeast. So frustrating! We just need to hang in there. Soon we’ll be rewarding with the real spring, not this imposter weather that claims to be spring.

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    • I know! I have been so tired lately, despite usually getting a good night’s sleep. It’s still cold and gray here, but we’re supposed to get warmer weather on Wednesday. I sure hope that happens, because I am so ready! And I know that you’ve had much worse weather than we have, so I can’t imagine how ready you are for Spring.
      It’s good to hear from you again, Kim!

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  38. I would feel exactly the same if it were still snowy and icy here. We had surprisingly good weather these last weeks but I still haven’t put my coats away because I’m wary winter might come back if I do. 😉

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  39. Ann, While traveling in Mexico, I have fallen way behind on my reader, and your always-insightful posts. I’m glad I dug back to find this pearl. I hope the weather has warmed up by now.

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    • Thank you, Joe, for your kind words! And no worries, if I were visiting the fabulous sites you are in Mexico, I think I’d be behind on my reading too. I love your posts about your travels, as you are showing me a side of Mexico I have never seen. Please keep them coming!

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