Amid the Falling Snow

Sometimes you have to make the best out of a less than ideal situation. That was the case today, when instead of flowers pushing their way out of the ground in the first rite of Spring, a winter front muscled its way across the plains and dumped snow on Btown late this afternoon. Sigh. Yes. This late in March. Instead of lamenting our frigid fate, I decided to make the event something playful. I got a new camera for Christmas, so this gave me a chance to try out the video feature, as well as take some still photos of the bare branched trees, coated in winter white. With no pressure to hurry and be done, I was able to try different settings and compositions to capture the event, and learn some of the features of my camera. After playing with my new tool/toy for awhile, it was time to turn to more quiet and contemplative play.

Today was the kind of snowstorm that has the large, fat flakes which fall gently, silently, with little or no wind. This is the kind I love, the kind that relaxes me, and makes me want to be still and in the moment. I had to celebrate this, before the moment to enjoy its beauty was gone. So, I put the kettle on, and made a fire in my woodburning fireplace. I found an Enya CD and turned it on. Once the fire was crackling, and my mint tea poured, I sat by the fire, and watched nature's show, accompanied by music that made it even more lovely. And in those moments, I was able to still, to enjoy instead of dislike the late March snow, and fill my mind and spirit with some warmth and peace.

My snow time today exemplified the restorative nature of play, and taught me something new about being deliberate and creative about how to play when the unexpected occurs. Many times we have no control over what happens in our lives. The only thing we can control is how we react to what is happening. And it's in those moments that play can be a powerful ally to help us navigate the difficulties or unexpected circumstances in our lives. While for me it was only unwelcome snow in March, play can be restorative and cathartic for people dealing with graver, more challenging issues, like terminally ill people fulfilling playful dreams on bucket lists, or Dr. Patch Adams using humor and play to encourage patients and orphans. Play is us thumbing our nose in defiance of the ugly of the world, indeed, trying to find beauty and joy and fun within the mess. Play, as Stuart Brown suggests, may truly be critical to our survival and well-being. If so, play on.
                                                                
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A postscript: I made a short video on my camera to try to share a sense of my experience today, but for some reason, it won't upload. So, instead, here are a few more photos, and a link to the main Enya song I was listening to: Amid the Falling Snow.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wacyMhxIOd0