Well it’s taken a big snowstorm with a few cancellations in my day to finally get me to sit down and write a post. Not that I haven’t been thinking about it for a while! It’s deep into winter today here in Toronto, but I have to say it’s been an easy one so far in terms of snow. I don’t mind the cold, but it’s the inconvenience of the snow for driving, running, getting around that I dislike most about winter. Usually at this time of the year, my SAD sets in and I just need to get out of here. This year I find myself in a different place. I can’t keep myself from actually being thankful for my lay off this past spring due to stress fractures. It opened my eyes to how intense I was in so many ways and how this made me so unhappy. This last 6 months or so I have truly been enjoying life, seeing things I didn’t see before. My relationship with my daughter is thriving as she enters the preteen years. I still smile at shopkeepers, strangers, and have an extra amount of patience for things I never did before. I credit yoga for part of this change in me, and seeing my sports psychologist, and just self healing.
This past week at yoga the instructor ended class with this: It struck a chord with me and asked her for the passage.
Be Thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you are tired and weary because it means you have made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.

I found this to be oh so true. Particularly when I think about what I went through this past spring and summer and how thankful I am that it actually happened. It opened my eyes.

This winter I am finding new ways of helping me enjoy the season. Taking short walks when I have time during my day or going out to walk with my husband at night so we can talk without distractions and phones beeping has been a great way to connect with both the fresh air and each other.
I tried snowshoeing for the first time this past weekend and absolutely loved it!
I’m trying to get out for runs, even if it’s cold or a bit snowy (up to my limit of course:)) but not having any expectations for those runs, other than to get some fresh air.

my new Dion snowshoes are great.

I hope that when the snow melts and the sun and warm temperatures arrive again, I’ll be able to do what I love, continue to explore new things like trail running/races. In addition, I want to continue on my path to health, happiness and growing relationships.