June 21, 2012

Summer 2012 has officially arrived here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. of A.  Up to now there has been little indication that we would see summer this year, but the assurance of 80 degrees with a partly cloudy sky is a promising start for Portland.  The question is, will summer be warm, clear and dry or are we in for a dreary, cloudy, cool, wet season this year?  I believe it was Mark Twain that said, “Everyone’s talking about the weather but nobody’s doing anything about it.”  So what can we do about the weather?  Actually, nothing – or can we?  I suppose it’s a matter of perspective.

We as single individuals can’t really change the weather, for how can you stop the rain or cool down the sun’s rays?  Most people are affected by the weather in different ways.  For instance rainy, dreary days tend to cause many to be depressed.  I’ve heard of studies in years gone by where more suicides are committed in locations where there is a lot of rainfall than in areas without it.  Most people prefer to stay indoors when it rains, though there may be the occasion when one would like to frolic in “nature’s shower”.

Bright, sunny days engender a cheerful disposition within individuals.  On the other hand, when those bright, sunny days turn up the temperature too many become grumpy and complain about how hot it is.  Of course adding moisture, aka humidity, to the mix only exacerbates the situation and the grumbling escalates.

Then you have the cold, blustery winter days that often bring snow.  In many adults this will bring out the “inner child”, while others grouse about the miserable cold.  Along with that is the worry about catching a cold, or getting sick with the flu or pneumonia.  And so it goes.

Most people have a favorite season of the year, while having a least favored season.  Though we can’t do anything about the weather we can determine our demeanor regarding it.  We can choose to ignore the discomforts we experience with the weather and determine to remain positive.  Why complain about something we can’t change?   What we can change is our attitude about it.  I tend not to complain about the weather, though I do have my preference.  For instance I am more comfortable (actually, tolerant) with heat versus cold.   I say my favorite season of the year is summer for that reason.  What say you?  Do you have a favorite season and why is it?
Shalom.