I once met a girl who cried every time it snowed. She was very beautiful, so naturally I wanted to help, but I’ve never been satisfied with merely catching tears. Instead I resolved to help her see the beauty of snow in hopes she would never cry again.
Here’s what I told her:
Snow brightens the day by reflecting what precious little light makes it through the winter clouds. True: it is cold outside, but be grateful it is not cold and dark.
Snow promotes tranquility by dampening the familiar sounds of creatures and cars. There is nothing quite like the quiet on a snowy winter day where even the birds are silent.
Snow creates space for rest and reflection by inhibiting socialization. No excuses are needed when the roads become treacherous and you can enjoy a guilt-free day spent in closer communion with your thoughts and feelings.
Snow reminds us that we are a part of this world when we hear it audibly crunch beneath our feet. Here is clear evidence that you exist outside your head, your actions leave an imprint on reality, your actions matter.
Snow allows us to play more easily, to build forts and dig tunnels with nothing but our bodies and imagination. No set up or planning is required. This is how we played as children and children play best.
Snow evokes the fantasy that we are explorers, bravely traversing the frontier and pushing into the unknown, the first to walk a path. As Rebecca Solnit points out in her wonderful book, the feeling of being lost or on the edge of oneself is often a catalyst for tremendous personal growth.
Snow invites us to rest in places we would otherwise not. Snow is a better chair than grass or a firm bench, and it is a delight to sit in spaces we would normally walk by. Simply sitting between Point A and Point B and taking in the scenery–often for the first time–reminds us that it’s about the journey, not the destination.
Snow grounds us in the present moment by making the familiar seem unfamiliar, at least at first glance. With our senses re-engaged, we can again appreciate the daily beauty we often take for granted.
Snow is pleasing to watch gently fall to the ground. I do not know why this is, but all humans seem to enjoy watching things in static motion like the sparks and smoke from a fire, the waves in the ocean, the mist of a waterfall, confetti from the rafters.
Snow kindles within us the noble sentiments we associate with the color white. White is often a symbol for purity, peace, perfection, honesty, cleanliness, and many other virtues. The influence may be subtle, but color psychology proves the power of color and these positive associations can be amplified by consciously embracing them.
Indeed, that is the point of all these reflections; by making a deliberate effort to appreciate snow, we can transform our relationship to it.
Sadly, after telling the beautiful girl these things, she informed me her asthma would not permit her to go outside for long…this made me appreciate the snow even more.