“Sometimes I wish I was the weather, you’d bring me up in conversation forever and when it rained, I’d be the talk of the day” –Sucker by John Mayer

For those of us that live up north, the winter this year has been hot topic for conversation, although it has been far from hot. It has been cold, cloudy, grey and snowy.  With the outside conditions, it has been extremely hard to avoid any level of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Constantly speaking negatively of the weather has not only set the tone for the season but also for that of our internal states. 

But, no matter where you live, the real truth of the matter is that it is easy to dwell on the negative.  It is easier to focus on all the things that are going wrong instead of the things that are going right.  With a strong focus on the negative it can lead to depression, anxiety and stress.  So how can you be optimistic when we are constantly surrounded by bad news?  How can you answer “I’m great” when someone asks how you are doing? How can you bring more light when it is dull? 

The answer is gratitude.  Take a moment and think about something that is going well for you.  Even when you may feel like the world is caving in on you, there will always be something that is good in your life whether it be health, shelter, job, children, friends and family.  No matter how deep you have to dig in the soul of your being there will be a glimmer of light to be grateful for and the more you meditate on that the bigger the light will get.  It is not always an easy practice but the effort will sure be worth it. 

Us northerners may dwell on how crappy the weather is, but we are accustomed to change.  It is the approach of spring around the corner that has begun to shift our winter blues to that of the promise of warm weather and sunshine.  And pretty soon we will be complaining that it is too hot out but looking forward to the cool and colorful autumn.

Compliment this with a backbend practice to open the heart and uplift your spirit.