a rant

yes, I am going to take a moment and abuse this somewhat public platform for the selfish purpose of airing my grievances. Actually just one grievance in particular. I am hoping it will be cathartic, maybe allow me to move on and not feel so preoccupied. It's a classic complaint really- nothing unique, original or profound- the weather.

It is now March 25, we are 5 full days into spring. Spring which means some rain, some clouds some sun, a range of temperatures... but hopefully all of them above freezing. Well here in Sarajevo we have not been so lucky. No, last night not only was it below zero (centigrade that is), but it was also snowing with a vengeance. I ventured forth regardless to see a friend who was only in town for a visit- and yes we were able to make the best of it. The evening was great. But under most other circumstances I probably would've stayed home last night with weather like that. It wasn't pretty picturesque snow- it was that heavy wet slushy snow which makes it necessary to run for cover.

Of course, another frustrating element in all this is that we have had some very beautiful days. Some very sunny days. Even some warm days! But now their memory only serves to tease us- a fleeting taste of what we still don't have with April only a week away. One day it went back and forth from sunny to snowing about 4 times, always changing within 2 minutes. What is one supposed to expect when stepping outside if the weather can be that erratic? Ack!

And yes, I know I sound like a broken record- anyone and everyone I've spoken to in the last month has had to hear about this subject. All of Sarajevo is struggling to find other things to talk about. We ask everyone we speak to in other places- "So how is the weather there?", wanting at least a tiny vicarious taste of something better. Or maybe to know about others who are suffering along with us in the agonizing wait for spring. I want to talk about something else now, really I do. This has gone on long enough.

A certain spiritual teacher who's book I am currently reading, says that often we want to feel bad in the present moment- that we look for things to complain about so we can say the past or the future was or will be better. He says that disliking the weather is our choice- it only affects us if we let it. Well, yes, if I really wanted to I could rise above my feelings of frustration about what is currently going on outside my window. But it would be an active process- whereas it does not require any effort to enjoy sunshine. I do not think it is my choice to enjoy sun and warmth- I simply feel it and I am happy. No extra thought required. It takes some extra mental work to be not unhappy about freezing precipitation falling from a gray sky on March 25th.

Ok. That is all. Rant complete. Thank you.