2 Minutes of Unexpected Gratitude

Winter in Western New York is usually a long, cold, dreary affair.

Some people embrace winter and find ways to enjoy it.

Some of us just put up with it while we think ahead to warmer days and sunshine that goes with the arrival of spring.

The past couple weeks have been harsh starting with bone chilling cold and snow and transitioning to rain and fog. The rain and fog in particular have tormented us for over a week now and to be honest, it’s starting to affect my mood.

Two days ago I was asked to make an unplanned trip from Rochester to Watkins Glen, about an hour and a half south. In the summer or fall, it’s a spectacular drive down along Seneca Lake.

In the winter, the drive is a stark reminder of the cold and barren time that winter can be.

I didn’t want to go. I would say I was dreading it. It was an assignment I didn’t really want and the pay wasn’t very good.

But when I agree to do something, I do it.

But I didn’t have to like it!

I woke up Friday morning in a foul mood, frustrated and angry about my impending trip.

As if to emphasize my mood, I wore a scowl for 88 miles all the way to Watkins Glen.

As crested the final hill and began my ascent into Watkins Glen, I noticed the dark clouds in my rear view mirror, but suddenly I noticed clear sky in front of me!

Low and behold, the sun was out!

That big beautiful orb in the sky that I hadn’t seen in weeks was suddenly blasting through my windows!

What a wonderful surprise and in an instant my mood changed. The sunlight coming through the windshield warmed my face as I squinted against the brightness.

When I arrived at my destination and exited my car, I was greeted not only with warm sunlight, but also with warm temperatures! I had left Rochester and it’s rainy 34 degree weather only to discover a 55 degree sunny paradise only 90 miles away!

Before entering the building for my appointment, I stood in the parking lot and faced the sun allowing it to envelope me. It felt wonderful!

I stood in the light for a couple minutes and allowed myself to simply enjoy the moment and most importantly to be grateful.

I wore the scowl and bad attitude all the way to Watkins Glen. I had allowed the lousy weather to perpetuate my lousy mood.

But for two minutes I was so grateful. I had no clue the sun was out in Watkins Glen, or that it was warmer there. It was a most unexpected surprise.

It was also a reminder to practice gratitude, not just when it’s convenient or unexpected.

We are surrounded by things for which we can be grateful and my trip Friday was certainly a reminder to find those things and focus more on them.