"Lose yourself" by Eminem, "Strong Will Continue" by Nas and Damian Marley and "Dream On" by Aerosmith are songs from different genres of music but songs I love equally. Songs I play when spirits are low, when emotions are jumbled and when the skies are grey- which they have been of late. And I know in the coming months I'll maybe have those songs on repeat. You may ask why and even think I'm drowning you in some type of melancholy, maybe, because what lies ahead can be disheartening. Its fall and this can account for the grey skies; ironically enough autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Shades of crimson and gold bursts from our trees, leafs rustle and crackle along the streets and natures beauty seems to slowly canvas before our eyes. Each brush stroke nature takes is more beautiful than the next and it's something I enjoy watching.
However the season's irony is compounded by the chills that come with the wind, its reminder that winter is close. Winter can be what you make it or it can be whatever it dictates and for me, winter has always dictated a time of love, family fun and optimism for the New Year. Granted there are times when the winter blues set in, i.e. "Dream on," Lose yourself" and "Stronger." But never long enough for me to be bothered by the mood disorder. But I fear the worst is near, I've been told of stories of piles of snow and bone freezing weather. Don't get me wrong I like winter but what I've been told of the Prairie weather can be associated with Yeti or some other mythical being. But I guess that's not really my fear but more so the gloom and sadness that come with the time.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as it is more popularly known is an issue that at times doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Many people lean on their Canadian culture as some type of protection or super power which I do admit exists for some. But for others their resistance level may not be so high. The resistance or immunity may be less about innate gifts and more about cultural lifestyles.
Those less affected by the season are the ones who actually get outside and get some sun. So as the mercury falls, the impetus to snow board and ski must go up and generally just an impulse to embrace the season. But then again, there's nowhere to ski or snowboard out here, I guess I can go trekking through the snow with those big snow shoes I've seen in the movies. And yes, there's always skating, all 6'4' of me, all graceful on the ice pirouetting for all onlookers to see.
Well this is something I'm prepping for, because the Prairie winters may just have me snug under my blanket on my couch browsing Netflix.
I've also read that one should throw a party, I'm not really too sure how many people would attend if did have a party. So my other option would be working out, a feasible suggestion by experts so in the mean time I'll work my drive in that department. This could work in conjunction with setting goals too I guess, that's another popular tool in beating the blues, I've heard. I'm not a chronic procrastinator, but I'm sure we've all had our time of "I should get that one."
Please don't take this as pessimism, I look forward to the coming months, my first winter in Carlyle and hope it will be a good one. Either way I'll make the best of it and I'm sure I'll discover something that will grab my interest. So far I've been captivated by the people I've met in Carlyle and their sense of community. The summer somehow flew by and to be quite honest I can't really believe it's gone so fast. Signs of the times I guess, indicative of what I'm not really sure but I'm confident I'll to find out, maybe this place is more of a winter town than anything else. Whatever that means, one thing's for sure the chills are coming and I'm preparing, working on keeping the blues away and yeah you've been there, done that, but you should beware of the blues too.
