Blue Monday

Today is the third Monday in January which has in recent years become known as ‘Blue Monday’. It’s supposed to be the saddest day of the year. They attribute it to several different things – less sunlight (‘seasonal affective disorder’), holidays hangover, resolution failures, the weather …

But it may surprise you to know there is no actual evidence to substantiate the claim that today is the saddest day of the year. Apparently, the whole ‘Blue Monday’ thing started as a marketing campaign targeting those of us who live in a more northerly climate to give us a hankering for a trip south so we can go and spend some money there. I’m not at all opposed to the whole snowbird thing. I’ve made a few excursions south myself and you’ve got to love those tropical breezes.

However, I have no plans to go anywhere in the near future. So, you could say I’m stuck at home, but I’m not. No cabin fever here. I GET to stay home. And I get to enjoy the simple pleasures that come with it. I’m learning that enjoying life (1Timothy 6:17) involves appreciating what I have instead of sulking about what I’m missing. I used to ski before my knees went on strike permanently, so I had to give that up. I do miss having strong, healthy knees, but it doesn’t help a bit to pine about it.  

So what am I doing today? I’m tending the woodfire. I did get a little fresh air and exercise earlier shoveling some snow. And I hope to get outside for a good walk in the snow after a bit. But now I’m enjoying a cozy fire and a good book.

“I just have to look at that fire and I feel happy.”

That’s what Florence said this morning when I had just gotten the fire going in our little woodstove.

So here I am, sitting by the fire for a while, reading a very good book with some really good music in the background. Feeling blessed. And warm.