I can’t even think sitting here! There is an incessant raging roar emanating from the North West direction. The wind appears to have declared war on this vast frozen countryside. I begin to think Hell has frozen over and everything I’m seeing and feeling is just an illusion in the grand scheme of things. The winds bellowing, whistling, moaning and groaning belies the fact the sun is shining today and extending an invitation to come outdoors regardless of the winds assault. My head spins, the muscles in my body tense and knot as the unwanted elemental vibrations invade my energy fields.
At times, balanced processes of thought seem impossible to maintain simply because nature herself throws turbulent forces at us which we are unable to control. We must then contend with forces we do not consider normal. Sometimes change can be thrust upon us by nature. Unnatural forces can arrive on wings of fury to move us away from our well-intentioned focus, determined to distract us.
The weather outside is causing an overt distraction for me in particular. Distraction is a writer’s best friend or in my case worse enemy so this artificial environment I’m trapped in at the moment is causing me to feel suffocated. I get Cabin Fever this time of year. I crave the freedom of movement, that of thought and action. I must go out of doors. Out into nature where I can breathe fresh air. Perhaps it will help me focus.
A voice in my head keeps echoing, “You need to make friends with the wind.” That same sentence has bounced around in my brain for what seems like an eternity. But, I do not think the winter’s North Westerly wind wants to be my friend.
The end of winter is near, less than a month away, these sub-zero temperatures are unnatural. I can feel that north western wind biting into my cheek bones burning them with tendrils of icy fire. The wind has pushed the loose snow into piles of swirling heaps that break apart as I attempt to slog through them with my heavy winter boots and layers of arctic apparel. My muscles are screaming at me partly because they are cold despite thick layering and partly because they are tension ridden. I am absolutely not the type of person who enjoys being locked away indoors. Rather, I am more comfortable in nature breathing fresh clean air and battling the raging winds in any season. But, I am not fond of cold raging winds. I much prefer a nice warm breeze.
Though cold from the freezing winter gale, I do not want to return to the shelter of my house instead, I turn my back to the winds icy vengeance and admire the swirling art it has created upon the land. I breathe in deeply of the sweet winter freshness and exhale slowly watching grey plumes of air as they escape my lips. The wind is pounding hard at my back. I realized oddly enough that it feels good, sort of like a deep tissue massage kneading away at the knotted muscles along my spine.
I’m starting to relax as I study nature’s beauty for the wind is a talented artist, especially with snow. It knew exactly where to heap, twirl and use negative spaces to create shadow while allowing other colors to explode when tickled to life by the sun’s alluring rays. The land is beautiful even in the throes of winter for those who take the time to really observe it. I am glad to have witnessed this piece of winter bliss. Winter is not long here; soon it will be spring so there will be no more rest upon this land. The sun will nudge the sleeping and dormant back to life.
Meanwhile, those of us who have had a chance to rest or slow down during the winter months will enjoy the freedom to peel off our winter layers and enjoy the lightness of the warmer weather affords.
I turn back into the cold north westerly wind and follow a rabbit trail that circles the yard. The path has been well travelled but I am too heavy for it and break through. Still I continue along the rabbit’s path until I come to a large drift that shelters me from the winds cutting bite and gaze skyward. The wind has hung artwork there for me to admire as well. It has created heavenly visions on the sky blue canvass of soft curving figures of white with sparkling eyes and laughter filled smiles and creatures with wings. They help me to remember those precious souls who no longer reside here on this earthly realm. I can feel the warmth of their love. I enjoy this quiet reverie while admiring the winds master work. Then notice a jack rabbit still camouflaged in winter white spying on me from its burrow as I bring my eyes earthward again. No doubt the rabbit has been admiring the courage it took for me to brave these frigid winter winds and as I stand to make the short trek back to the four sheltering walls of my home, the rabbit retreats into it home. Apparently, it would rather avoid the wind today. But, I am glad to have braved it. I would not say that I have yet to make friends with the winter wind, but I do have a new found appreciation for it. May it be kinder to me in the future. I feel calmer now and more relaxed. I have regained my ability to focus.
The north westerly wind reminds us that nature has a way of forcing changes which remain outside of society’s control. These changes can drive us to distraction and move us away from our well intentioned plan for life at any time. Never get overtly comfortable with the serenity that seems apparent in your life. Nature can change from moment to moment and bring about turbulence forcing you back to reality at any time. A change in nature may help you shed your camouflage, poor self image or rip away heavy burdens of truth and ineffective protective barriers which shield us from love. We are all physical beings who are not meant to be living an illusion therefore, it is imperative that we are grounded and balanced in reality to bring about our dreams.
Remember, when nature’s north westerly wind shows up to disrupt your life with change, it doesn’t matter whether you choose to retreat into the preverbal rabbit hole easing into it or whether you move courageously through life when it is forced upon you; simply understand that nature is also there to guide you through the endless changing cycles of life. You need only be present to observe, enjoy and love it.
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