let it snow

This weekend a blizzard has battered the Northeast. In some places there are more than two feet of snow. Over 8,000 flights have been cancelled, and over 1,000 power outages have been reported up the East Coast.

The New York Governor went so far as to issue a travel ban on New York City and Long Island highways and roads over the weekend. The snow was so significant, actually, that yesterday, all shows — both matinees and evening performances — were cancelled on Broadway. This is big.

This can also be dangerous. Let us first recognize that such a heavy amount of snow and the accompanying cold can be perilous for many people. Tragically, in fact, initial reports from this particular snow storm indicate at least 18 people have lost their lives in snow-related deaths thus far. The cold and ice and regional potential flooding bring an added, unpredictable risk.

I think, too, of those in distinct danger… I think of the elderly; I think of the homeless. My heart breaks for those who have no roof over their head nor food on their table. They are truly among the so-called “least of these.” We cannot forget them especially during times like this.

That said first — always attempting to acknowledge what’s most important — there is one thing I absolutely love about such significant snowfall…

The big flakes… pouring down… the accumulation…

It makes us stop.

That’s it; it makes us stop.

Years ago I heard a wise man say, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” I think there’s a lot of truth in that; we are a busy people. We go from one thing to the next to the next. We have overflowing to do lists and seemingly way too much to accomplish on a daily basis. We don’t have enough time, energy, sleep, rest, you-name-it, because we are so busy. And when we are so busy, we don’t take the time to engage in some of the basic caring, polite, and subtle respectful tasks a wise one would always embrace…

We don’t have time to be selfless, to put someone else first, to put their needs ahead of our own…

We don’t have time to listen well, as it’s far more efficient for us time-wise to simply tell others what we think rather than listen to what they have to say…

We don’t have time for interactive dialogue, as Twitter’s tweets and Facebook rants are far easier, allowing us to still vent and spew our opinions and then actually think we had a conversation…

In other words, as busy people with full schedules who are so often on the go, we don’t perceive ourselves as having the actual time to be patient, respectful, or empathetic. We then begin to seemingly subconsciously dismiss those contagious, fruitful, and beautifully encouraging character traits because they take too much time.

It is true; patience, respect, and empathy take time.

When the snow comes, however, in such significant amounts, we have no choice; we have to slow down; we have to stop.

I love the fact that something makes us stop, being still, reflecting, thinking, thinking of others, and taking a break from those to do lists.

Hmmm… I wonder… I wonder if that’s why God created snow.

Respectfully…
AR