This afternoon I pushed away from my laptop and lesson plans to go for a walk outside.  The fresh air and wide expanses did me good, and it didn’t hurt that I could not longer check emails, weather reports, and news stories. On the way back, in the steeply slanting late afternoon sun I saw snowflakes.  I couldn’t believe it and froze in my tracks to make sure. I was disgusted and not a little panicked.

And in my reaction of fear I paused, rewound the tape, and played a new song.  This year, starting yesterday, I am looking for the gifts God sends.  In those flakes I see the promise of beautiful snowfalls, fluffy snow on bare limbs, laughter with the kids in coats and hats. Winter has many benefits and that is where I will train my thoughts.

My brain has done me no favors by dwelling on the dark, painful things of this world. I’ll be transformed by the renewing of my mind, thank you.