Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we lived in a world where there was no suffering whatsoever? A world where there was no pain, no judgement and everyone had perfect health. But that’s not the world we live in. There has always been challenges and they will forever be part of our lives. 

I contemplated this and so much more while on a walk in the snow. I pretended that I was the only one living in a world that I created. I couldn’t help but feel a massive sense of relief. For a brief moment, I remembered what it was like to be at peace. I continued walking and reminding myself to take deep breaths. Along the way, I found a wet boulder to sit on. I looked at the snow-covered trees and even waved at the plow guy as he drove by. 

I picked up a handful of snow, patted it down as tight as I could and flung it into the air. For some reason it made me chuckle like a kid. I even kicked my legs up in the air with laughter. I spotted the smallest tree I could find and made it my target. I wanted the challenge. I’m not sure how long I stood there throwing snowballs, but it felt great to play with snow. I know the snow tends to melt a lot faster this time of year, but I also attempted to build a snowman. It was tiny, but for the moment, it didn’t matter. It was my snowman! 

The snow subsided. I moved on and as I passed a driveway, I could see a few kids sledding on the smallest man-made hill. That too made me chuckle. Thirty minutes or so into my walk, I finally took out my camera. I snapped a photo of the road in front of me and I had no idea where I was going, how fast or what lay ahead. All I knew was that I had to make the best of the good things that still remain in my life. Like, a walk through the snow in the Rocky Mountains. 

I wonder what you’re discovering nearby. Do you have a favorite place to hike in the snow? Are you building snowmen, sledding, having snowball fights, making snow angels, or maybe you’re snuggled up by the fireplace playing games or watching tv? Whatever it is, I hope you are kind to yourself and at least enjoying the little things in life.

Life is difficult to deal with and no, we can’t change the world we live in. However, what we can change is ourselves and our outlook. We can learn to let go of negativity and make the conscience choice to practice being positive regardless of what has happened, what is happening or what may happen – even if only in our own contemplations. 

(Originally published in the April 2, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)