There's No Business Like SNOW Business

Living in Oklahoma, days like we have experienced in the last 48 hours are somewhat rare: blizzard-like conditions; five foot snow drifts; consecutive days of school closings; discouraged travel. With that comes the "initial" fun of being couped up in your house with family members, fresh soups, and homemade goodies. (At least that's what we enjoyed at our house.) However, if you are a mover like me, being snowed in for more than 24 hours can become agitating. (This is no reflection on my awesome family.) What I am learning is the good out of this. Everyone NEEDS deliberate seasons that shut us out from the normal and shut us in for extended, creative self time. For many of us, we don't realize what we need until we get it. Well, when I finally gave into the reality of literally being "snowed in", the productivity of relaxation and reflection kicked in. Allow me to give some suggestions that have made a difference for me:

1. Carve out some time to really enjoy those you love. Michelle and I have taken some on-purpose time with our children over the last few days - reading to them, playing games, watching movies, and just being goofy. We've also hung out with friends with zero time constraints. This gives opportunity for walls to come down and community to be felt!

2. Close yourself in mentally so that you can really get into a book or a study that leads to deep introspection and personal planning. Within a regular work week, I seem to never really go as far as I want in processing an idea or concept. I end up putting a coma on whatever I'm meditating on, picking up with it at another part of the day. So, widened moments to feel free to go there with my thoughts are cherished.

3. Intermittently ping colleagues, friends, acquaintances to build on your network of resources. When the clock doesn't tick against a typical to-do list, you are available to connect and keep relationships vibrant either by the mode of technology or the old-fashioned way of a hand-written card. (Hey, the personal touch still goes a long way.) Catching up, reconnecting, and giving a shout out to your contacts when life slows down engages your network for now and for later. Being "snowed in" gives opportunity to really get busy in this essential area.

4. Make yourself rest from projects and even nap during the day. Every health and nutrition information that I come across seems to address the significance of regularly scheduled rest and periodic extended restful environments. And though I haven't been a "good napper" in the past, down times certainly provide ample opportunity to sneak one in during the day...of which I took advantage of during this winter weather episode. I'm learning that rest must be scheduled and followed through.

Yes - we all need a snow day or two. If it doesn't come to you by way of weather, take it anyway! You'll thank yourself for it later...