 Chasing away the winter blahs... Warning: I use the words "blues" and "blahs" regularly and intermittently in his post. I believe them to be one and the same. I am convinced that winter may never end this year. Despite my best efforts, including a personal letter to the groundhog on Feb. 2nd, winter still resides in the southeast corner of these great United States. After checking various locations for an escape route, I found that winter is lingering as well in all the places where I usually slip away to visit for a weekend, take in a little sunshine, and then return to Georgia all better. The only places I could find where there is an abundance of sunshine were completely out of the states somewhere in the Caribbean, or on the west coast -- locations where trips have to be planned months in advance. Snow, rain, fog, and general grayness cover the south like a heavy blanket. I could never, ever live in Seattle...Portland...Alaska. And it's times like these that I think I could totally live in Brazil, any place where the equator marches right through town and you can find the warmest temperatures on earth. But then I suppose I'd be biting at the bits to find cooler air come mid-July. I'd be complaining that my pits were too sticky and my hair too frizzy, and dreaming about the cool fall days of Georgia. We are never satisfied, are we? So since I have come to the realization that I simply cannot change the weather, I have decided to make the best of it. I cannot promise that I won't complain some more, but what can I say? Today is one of those days where I have the house all to myself to do whatever I please. But I've had a hard time setting my affections on anything I think worthwhile and have found myself (until now) in a state of doing-nothingness. Have you ever been there? Even the things I usually enjoy doing on a day off have no appeal. Crafting or creating? No inspiration. Cleaning the house? Are you kidding me -- no. Reading? Not interested. What is wrong with me? I'll tell you what's wrong with me. I have a huge case of the winter blahs. I, the doctor, diagnose me, the patient. Yep, it's the winter blahs all right. In light of my present dilemma, I have come to the truth that it's me, and me alone, who can chase away the winter blahs and it must come from within, not without. I have devised a plan to, once and for all, chase the winter blahs away never to return (at least for this year). I have dug down deep, pulling out my best tricks for attacking the blues that ol' man winter has brought my way.  My makeshift "sun" in the form of a large lantern works really well! It's a five-step program. #1. I force myself to do some cleaning. As much as I hate to get started on housework, I am always glad once I do. Clean-ness brings about calm-ness with me. When my house is relatively clean, I feel inspired to be creative in other areas. I don't go overboard on the cleaning, though, because that would compound the winter blahs instead of helping the winter blahs. #2. I turn on every lamp in my house. Normally, I do this in the evening when the sun is long and low in the sky. But today? I have extra light to illumiate not just my rooms, but my soul as well. Light is essential to enhancing the mood; why else would they have sunlamps and tanning beds? Lack of light is the number one thing that keeps us down in the winter, more than cold. Give me 40 and clear over 60 and raining any day. I don't worry about a bigger power bill. It's way cheaper than a therapist. In the winter, the nights are long and the days short. On a positive note, I have noticed the days are getting a bit longer. That's encouraging because it reminds me that spring really might just be on the horizon. Okay, so winter's not gonna last forever. Gees, I'm feeling better already. #3. I light candles. I don't know about you, but I think candles have great benefit when chasing away the winter blues. They're warm, they give light, and they smell wonderful. My pick? Beach-scented or vanilla! #4. I have plans for a big pot of soup for dinner. There is nothing like soup on a cold, dreary day. Soup for dinner is a win-win; it warms your body and your spirit. Add some cornbread and it's food fit for a Southern king. #5. I buy fresh flowers. Fresh flowers up the cheer factor like nothing else. It is money totally well spent in the winter when gray days abound. A little spring for a winter day in the form of delicate petals and buds. One more thing... Last but far from least, I dream about the promise of spring. Sometimes I refuse to dream because I am pouting and feeling sorry for myself. But if I take a brief reprieve from my pity party, I will admit that I know spring will eventually make it to these parts, and we will see forsythia, tulips, azaleas, butterflies, and all the things that make spring so vibrant after a long winter's nap. Keeping our dreams alive -- whether it's as simple as dreaming about wearing shorts & flipflops, seeing family, or taking a long walk on the beach -- is what gives way to hope. What am I dreaming about and hoping for today? Seeing my children and grandchildren again soon. A week on the beach with my girlfriends come May. Long hikes in the park with my hubby. Getting out in the yard and playing in the dirt. I also remember to count my many blessings as well. I remind myself that it may be gray outside but we can always make sunshine in our hearts.  I long for you, Sweet May
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