I sit in despair as I look out the window and see the rooftops and grass turn white.
Okay, a wee bit dramatic but remember, I was born and raised in Hawai'i. Snow is not my favorite thing. I see it as a nuisance. Something I have to shovel, dry off my shoes or my dog, adds time to any driving destination, and it causes me to bundle up (which adds time) because often snow = cold.
So as the first snow of the season comes a bit early today, I am not pleased. I know that snow is out of my control and it's up to me to shift my mindset or the next few months may be very unpleasant.
The grey skies are the hardest for me. Growing up in paradise, I was surrounded by beautiful colors: the deep greens of mountains, the hues of blue in the ocean and the sky, and the vibrant colors of many different plants and flowers. So to be surrounded by muted shades of grey, on mostly barren trees (aside from the evergreens), I have to look within to find brilliant colors and energy.
That said, one of my cherished memories is walking through the University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum after a massive winter storm. The branches were wrapped in ice and snow was delicately piled up on top. Everywhere I looked, the trees glistened against a beautiful blue sky backdrop. It was pure tranquility.
Knowing my life necessities include community, love, warmth, sunshine, and understanding, I choose to bring a little aloha to my brand. It helps me get through the winter by spreading joy to my community. It's hard not to smile when you hear "aloha".
Aloha is a greeting that means "hello" or "goodbye" and it has a deeper meaning that embodies a spirit of love, warmth, kindness, compassion, respect, and interconnectedness. It's a way of life that reminds us we are all important and here for collective existence.
So I shift my mindset away from a pity party thinking about the unpleasant cold and snow. I turn on my space heater to feel nice and toasty, and I focus on bringing aloha to you, which fills my heart with warmth and blue skies.
Stay safe, stay warm, and find ways to spread a little aloha in your communities.