A clean slate.... with snow.

To say we have had a bit of snow over the past week would be an understatement. In a matter of 2 days we got close to 70 cm of snow. That is roughly 28 inches for you non metric folks. The first dumping brought snowman snow. Perfect for packing, building, and general snowmaking goodness. It was also perfect for snow ice cream! Yum.
 

The second storm brought with it cold temperatures and light, powdery snow. Not very good for snowmen, but lovely for skiing.

Noah calls it “glitter snow” because each flake retains its own shape and when thrown into the sunshine filled sky, it looks like glitter. I love the imagery he uses. Later in the day he went on to explain to me that when the clouds pass over the sun and it gets dark for a minute or two, not to be worried, “It’s alright Mama, it is just the sun blinking!” He has such a lovely way of seeing the world.

All of this snow is not uncommon. I mean, I live in Canada and it is winter. Cold and snow are just a given. There was something different about this snow though, something that took my thoughts on a different path. Amy, over on Mamascouts, talked about choosing a word for the year. A word that will guide you and represent what it is you want from the year. I read this and tried to see what came instantly into my head, but instead of one word, I got about 27. Not the clarity I was hoping for. I took a breath and then I looked outside my window. The huge windows that overlook the snow covered valley beyond. It was white as far as I could see. The pine trees, usually the dark sentries that stand contrasting against the winter, looked like closed up umbrellas, with their branches so snowladden. It was just white. Blank. A clean slate. So perfect for this time of year.

One word. Such a simple thing and yet so difficult. There are many things I would like for this coming year. The usual things, of course, good health, happiness, and lots of love, but one word to help guide me through the entire year? That is hard. As I sat staring into the whiteness before me a few words did start to pull out from the rest. One of them being adaptability. There are a few things that are getting tweaked in our house. Things that I realize are working for me, but not necessarily for all those also involved. Realizing that if I have to struggle to maintain something, then it isn’t coming naturally, and so it is not a good fit. Letting go of things that I thought defined me, only to discover they are really just holding me back. Adaptability is a good word.

Connection was another one that came forward. More connection to those around me, deeper connection. Deeper connection to the place I call home, to the sleepy little village we live in. More connection to the present moment. This word is good as well.

The third one that stepped forward was calm. I suffer from a bit of anxiety and so when things get tough, I get anxious. Trying to be calm and in the moment, trying to bring more calm in to our home by de-cluttering, more calm in my actions and dealings with people. Calm is a good word.

So which will it be? I am still undecided. Perhaps another word altogether will jump forward at the last minute, just before the clock strikes midnight. I do know that is has been helpful to have the snow. The cleanness, the clarity and sharpness it gives to the outside has really helped to focus on bringing that inward. At the stroke of midnight, the slate gets wiped clean. There is unlimited possibilities that lie ahead. Whatever word I choose, it is a step in creating a richer, fuller year. Perhaps my word should be more. Not more in the materialistic sense, but just more. More laughing, more joy, more silliness, more playing, more creating, more snuggling, more writing, more exploring. More. Yes, that is a good word.

What about you? What word would you choose?

I would like to wish all of you a very happy and healthy New Year. May 2013 bring more love than you ever thought possible and whatever word helps guide you through, may the path before you be filled with endless possibilities.