Celebrate a Snow Day
“I am going to keep having fun every day I have left, because there is no other way of life. You just have to decide whether you are a Tigger or an Eeyore.” Randy Pausch
News travels fast.
Schools in Ottawa closed today. Furthurmore, Universities, public buildings, community centres and more, gave notice they will close as well, due to excessive snow and high winds. Although we get lots of snow in Ottawa, schools don’t close. Adults and children jumped for joy, delighted with this extraordinary event. It was a snow day! How will we celebrate?
Of course this same news spells trouble for travellers as one flight after another gets cancelled in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto and planes are diverted to Quebec City. Yet, the inconvenience and worry of winter travel also creates a wealth of stories with which we can regale our friends and family, when we finally do meet up.
Since weather is uncontrollable, we may as well find a way to enjoy it and even take advantage of a “snow day.” A bowl of popcorn and a good book. Snowshoeing down the street. (No cars out and about.) Stirring up a pan of favourite cookies. Calling friends to come celebrate this crazy white stuff.
Or follow the example of this man who lives on Gabriola where they usually don’t get snow. His advice is to sit by the fire; read; listen to an opera; play the piano and then have a nap. Some people know how to live.
Or, better yet, he says, “drag out your old Austrian schlitten, (sled) hop on and ride down the hill to the snow covered beach.”
Now this is a rare and beautiful sight on a gulf Island.
It strikes me that finding joy is oftentimes going to the trouble to create fun. Bundling up and going outside in the elements is not particularly convenient. And when we feel that winter cold and snow on our face, it can inspire complaint, or something to celebrate. Depends on your point of view.
Yet, whatever point of view you take, we are all soothed and welcomed the moment we step back inside the comfort of our home.
Kids know what to do.
They fling themselves, with abandon, into a day like this. Tobogganing; shoveling (yes, a matter of perspective) building snow forts and angels. Adults are well served to find a kid and get lessons on how to have fun in all kinds of weather.
In fact we need to celebrate not just snow but fun in general. As Randy Pausch adds “Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.”
May you all create something fun to do this week and tell me about it. Warmly, Trudy
Note 1:) On September 18, 2007, Carnegie Mellon professor and alumnus Randy Pausch delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. It became an internet sensation viewed by millions, an international media story, and a best-selling book that has been published in more than 35 languages. If you want to see the Carnegie Mellon Page on Randy click And it all started with Randy »
If you only want to watch The Last Lecture. Here you go. Be forewarned that it is long. One hour and sixteen minutes.
Note 2:) Photos, thanks to Gottfried M. The irony is not lost on me that I used mostly west coast snow photos.
Note 3:) Thanks as always, for reading this blog.