Annoyed by the wind…?

February 6, 2015 by aninergy 2 Comments

I am not a big fan of spending time in the howling cold wind – which we are now experiencing in Geneva. But the wind does not bring me down anymore… rather the contrary.

One of the most common things that people talk – a lot – about in Scandinavia is the weather, as the weather can be quite harsh and when it is ‘bad’ – most people feel like it is a release to complain about it. The weather used to impact my state of mind – because I allowed it to do so…I question whether it is a release to talk about the bad weather, or the contrary.

I remember well when my thinking around the weather changed about 20 years ago. It was while I was reading “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey. The approach, with which he was relating to the world, was fascinating, which made me decide to attend a course to learn more about these principles.

One of the habits we learned is to focus our attention on the things that we can influence and control; the things that are inside our circle of control. I learned what a waste of time and energy it is to complain about the things that we cannot change; the things that lie outside our circle of influence.

If we evaluate and relate to the weather as bad – we also may feel bad. Pay attention next time it is too grey, slushy, snowy, rainy, windy, hot etc, and how it actually impacts your emotions and energy.

I have learned to become more fascinated by the weather. I have gone from evaluating to noticing. For example now I find it mesmerizing to watch how violently the wind shakes the trees, how it whips the lake creating huge waves that crashes along the shore and to watch the birds trying to find balance. The wind makes a howling sound and the cold air is creeping through every little crack in the house making me put on more clothes. I feel such gratitude that I have clothes and a home to keep me warm, and my heart goes out to all of those who are not as fortunate as I am.

It is a whole different energy that is created from thoughts that are curious and grateful and in our circle of control, than from the ones where we are feeling like a victim of things we cannot change.