A lot of snow recently fell. And unless you’re in Hawaii or Southern California, there’s a good chance it’s blanketing the ground in every direction you look.
And now it just sits there.
Snow is patient when you think about it. It doesn’t ask permission to stay, nor does it rush to leave. It just waits for the sun, or for temperature, or for time. Until then, it just occupies space.
Our minds work the same way.
When something heavy burdens our brains – worry, grief, regret, fear – it usually doesn’t just melt on its own. Often, it continues to pile up, sometimes overnight, until you wake up one day and realize it’s impossible to get out of the driveway.
At that point, you have two choices.
First, you can leave the snow where it is. In some ways, snow is beautiful. It can change how the world looks, force us to notice different things, and slow things down. Your daily commute is probably much longer when snow abounds.
Similarly, some thoughts that materialize in our minds deserve that kind of attention. Some burdens need to be acknowledged before they can be moved. Pretending that the snow isn’t there doesn’t help matters, but neither does panicking about it. You might just find yourself staring out the window saying, “Yep, that’s a lot of snow. I see it.”
But leaving the snow untouched comes with consequences too. If it sits long enough, it can harden and become ice. It becomes more difficult to move. Sidewalks become slippery and the way forward grows more narrow and potentially dangerous. What started off looking peaceful might now interfere with how you want to live your life.
Which brings me to the second option: get out the shovel, snowblower, or plow (depending on how much you want to move). Because pushing the snow away isn’t about pretending it doesn’t exist, it’s about recognizing that you still need to clear a path so you can get on with your life.
You don’t need to remove it all – just enough to clear a functioning path.
The same is true with those things we carry in our craniums.
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to solve every issue. Just focus on not letting them block every single road. Perhaps you need to talk something out instead of just letting it sit quietly in your head. Write it down. Pray. Take a walk. Hand it off to someone you trust. That is the mental equivalent of shoveling your walkway so you can get to the mailbox.
Shoveling snow is work. And it’s often inconvenient. A lot of times it feels easier to just wait for spring. But waiting assumes that the weather will cooperate. And sometimes more snow is on the way.
Life often adds fresh layers of snow before the existing snow has gone. New responsibilities. New fears. New disappointments. They all show up on their own schedule, and if you haven’t removed some of the existing snow, they’re just going to pile higher and higher.
The good news is that snow doesn’t care how it’s treated. It can be admired, avoided, or removed. It won’t get mad at you. But it won’t decide for you.
You need to decide when to get out the shovel.
You can choose to sit with something and learn from it, or you can choose to remove it before it freezes you in place. Sometimes, it might make sense to do both, focusing on what’s blocking your immediate path and leaving the rest to conquer at another time.
Maybe it’s better not to ask, “Why is there so much snow?” but “What do I want my path to look like tomorrow?”
Snow doesn’t last forever. Nor does the opportunity to decide how we move through it.
Stand Strong!
Scott
Love your writing Scott, what a beautiful post. I’ve always loved a good thunder or snow storm for the exact reason of being a reminder to slow down. Miss you, hope to see you this spring.
Oh my goodness, Scott. I have seen this email in my inbox for almost a week now, and finally had time to sit down and read it. You’ve got me reading and crying. This is so perfectly written, and I’m crying because I can relate to it so much right now, and most days. Thank you for always provoking more than surface thoughts. I am not very good at shoveling, better at trying to stay upbeat and hoping things blow over. I am setting my sights on spring. Take care, Martha
Yep, we’ve got lots of snow here in NE Ohio. I’m glad to see that your reflections about our weather can be used for many insightful thoughts about how we need to move forward in our lives. Thanks, Scott.
Well said, Scott. I love the metaphor. I can still relate even after all these years of being away from snow. Hang in there, spring is just around the corner!
Thanks for the insightful post Scott. You have a great way of expressing your thoughts that help me look at “life” from a different perspective. Hope all is going well for you. God bless!
This message was enlightening today Scott. Thank you.
Your perspective on snow will be helpful in dealing with the snow in my life. Thank you.
You are so intelligent and wise, Scott. Thank you for sharing with us. Continue to use your shovel and stay strong. You inspire us all everyday. ❤️
Scott,
I love your blog posts and how you find unique ways to not only entertain us, but also teach all of us new ways to look at many of life’s challenges. It’s one of the reasons that you are one of my favorite flakes 😂 ⛄️
Stand Strong Snowman!
Isaac
PS – My old rusty snow shovel broke this year and I’m proud to say I actually drilled holes, got larger screws and fixed it!
Wonderful words! Great analogy for today! Hope you’re doing well.
You’ve always been an excellent writer, but this is very well done Scott! Excellent advice and I hope many people read it. Stay warm up north, praying for you!
I love this analogy!
Insightful, as always.
Love ya, bro.
Well said really help me , I have ALS and what you said there really made me look at things differently
Thank you
Hi Scott,
I have been thinking of you. Glad to see your post. I have cabin fever and am ready to get out of the house. I put Christmas stuff away, cleaned house, organized some things, made some new meals and am ready to go. Last time I heard from you, you just back home from the hospital. Hope you are all recovered. Let me know when I can stop by for a visit.
Thank you. I needed this today and a dear friend needs it even more!!
Thanks Scott. I needed to hear this today! You have a great way with words, my friend. Peace!
Scott,
Your analogy between Snow and our minds was very enlightening. And .. I can honestly say you didn’t give us a “Snow Job” 😄
Thanks!