Nothing squelches the thoughts of Spring like the meteorologist talking about a snow dump of twelve plus inches and looking out the bay window at huge snowflakes dropping from the sky like paratroopers on a mission. It really is not a surprise as it is still February and we live in Minnesota, but with the temps creeping up into the forties several times over the past few weeks, the ice and snow melting to the point where the blow-up Christmas decorations were once again visible, and the fact that pitchers and catchers have reported to their training facilities in Arizona and Florida, Spring certainly has been on minds other than my own in the past few weeks. It appears that maybe that furry little groundhog was right and we have a few more weeks to enjoy the winter.

Yes, I said enjoy the winter. I realize for some that this phrase is not only difficult to understand, but almost impossible to even consider. I have addressed Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in past columns and again, if you tend to have symptoms of sluggishness, sleepiness, craving of sweets and starches, and deepened sadness that starts around the same time every fall and goes through winter, do not hesitate to bring it up to your primary doctor. Left untreated, SAD can be as serious as any other form of depression.

Some people have a hard time seeing the beauty of what the area we live in offers. You may be able to look at a landscape covered with fresh fallen snow as beautiful. You may see the opportunities of snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or heading to an area downhill skiing facility as excellent choices to participate in some fun outdoor activities. You may see other opportunities like cross-country skiing, hunting, ice fishing or just playing in the snow as something that you want to do. You might be writing a column that is called “Outdoor Adventures” and cannot fathom that there are people who do not see things as you do… and that is okay. Sometimes, we need a reminder that the world does not revolve around us, our beliefs, or our opinions. Sometimes, as my mom used to tell me (often), it is better to keep your opinion to yourself.

That is hard to do though, isn’t it. I look at the snow falling and think, maybe a run on the Polaris is in the cards during the next few weeks or possibly a run down to Lake Rebecca for one more night of pulling panfish from the lake, only to return them because they are too small to eat, or so the reports have been. Maybe I will still get to make that run down the hill up by the middle school baseball field. I am not going to lie, I really want to do this and I know how darned injury prone I am, so there is definitely a little bit of fear that is holding me back. I want to tell people who don’t see the incredible outdoor adventures that await them during winter to just do it… throw caution to the wind… be like me. Okay, now that last comment just struck a chord. I know me pretty well and I have to say, for many people, the last person you want to be like is me.

I just realized something that brings this column together. That little bit of fear about getting hurt is holding me back from going sledding like I did when I was a kid. The body does not mend as well at 56 runs around the sun. I have friends and family that simply do not like the winter. Do they have SAD? Maybe… I am no medical expert. Or do they simply not find opportunity in the same things as I do? Do they simply walk on another path of beliefs, likes, dislikes, and see life differently than I do. This behavior is so evident in our culture today, especially on social media. Maybe like when we are fishing, we need to start watching our own bobbers more, and other people’s bobbers less.

It is hard sometimes to remember that while we are all in the same forest, we all take different paths to get to where we are going, and, we are not all trying to get to the same place. We are all sailing in the same ocean, but each of us have different boats. Some of us, while in a boat, do not even have a bobber to watch. For those who don’t get into winter activities… just know that somewhere on your path there will once again be Spring and Summer type activities to enjoy. After all, pitchers and catchers have reported and before you know it, the snow will be gone. Then you too can “Get Out and Enjoy the Great Outdoors.”