Being a Coloradan, we have a different view of how long winter will last. For the avid snowboarder or skier, we are hoping for pow-pow and legit runs into May or June. As a farm kid, I am hoping for sunshine and thaw in February which tells me planting will soon be arriving in April with the hope corn is knee high or better by late June. The month of February has notable consideration no matter where you may live.
Remember, February is when MLB preseason camp begins, starting with pitchers and catchers reporting. Add to this NFL teams making their plans for evaluating college athletes at the NFLPA Combined followed by the NFL Draft. For some franchises making recruiting and draft plans can be painfully revealing about how past performance influences future decisions. During the 2020 draft the Cincinnati Bengals have a lead position and may or may not share the love with other franchises as they parlay their draft pick positions.
So, when you wake up in the morning does your behavior predict the next 6 weeks of weather or how your draft choices will play? Punxsutawney Phil seems to have predictive power from his Pennsylvania burrow every February 2. History and tradition states that when Phil comes out of his home and then quickly returns we are in for another 6 weeks of winter. I am not sure how Phil’s prediction translates to the Rockies, but the possibility for more accumulation of pow-pow is a positive.
I am not sure it makes any difference where you live cabin fever seems to reach emotional peaks during the month of February. That being said, let me remind you that the average annual temperature in Colorado is 50.7 F degrees so we may have no excuse for complaining about cabin fever. Does that mean Coloradans are more positive and energized during the winter months, including February?
If the great temperature and over 300 days of sunshine don’t boast your positivity maybe remembering February as the month for nurturing love will boost your desire for positivity. Valentines’ Day, what a day for love, disappointment, or embarrassment. All three emotions and feelings are possible, but it is love and the promotion of love that retailers count on for love and appreciation from patrons who desire to spread the love and prevent anyone experiencing embarrassment or disappointment. Sharing the love in February is easier said than done.
Is it enough to just give the candy and flowers? Then what is the right candy or flowers? How about just a card with a sampling of candy hearts that share cute love quotes? It can be very confusing. Managing your emotions is challenging when you are an elite competitor during a key game or contest and even more challenging when you are an impressionable youngster trying to understand what it means to get a valentine and, regretfully what it feels like when you do not get a valentine.
February is a time of year that we celebrate love and yet the environment we celebrate love may change very quickly. I acknowledge southern climates are less likely to have the changes we may experience in the mountain states or any state that feels cold and snow in February, but it is change that may alter emotions very quickly. Are you in control of your emotions when dramatic change influences you?
As I use weather metaphorically for change I reflect on the drama and disparity with the image of a dimly lit snow packed road surrounded by woods and flanked by high drifts of snow. This image challenges me to be positive and yet has a crisp sense of elegance and comfort giving rise to desiring hope. This is an extreme example to illustrate that February, the month of love, creates moments when our love is challenged. As the month of February surrounds you consider those you love and who loves you. During these moments consider two actions. The first is to share love in the traditional ways. Give flowers, candy, and that special card that only you would send.
The second is considering how you may help others communicate or share their love and appreciation. Especially children who may not be mature enough to sort out the many ways love and appreciation are shared. Parents are the first source of guidance along with those who are in positions of trust (coaches, teachers, police, fire, health care, family).
My first recommendation is to remove negatives leaving a positive example. Positive example could be as simple as kind words like thank you, please, or I really appreciate who you are. Additional examples maybe you are showing affection to others at home. Giving mom or dad hugs at home so kids may see those expressions reinforces what is acceptable while demonstrating the caring between family members. Even high fives and handshakes can show affection to a lesser degree.
Since February is the month of love shopping for cards and gifts are teaching moments for kids. By sharing the shopping experience, you teach what accountability and ownership look like as a kind expression of affection. Without the guidance of trusted individuals our children and young adults are left to review the sarcastic cruel world for guidance. In today’s emotional conditions I would check with those I care about to share love and appreciation as often as possible.
February, the month that starts with a prediction for future change from the burrow of a rodent, and historically we know February is a month that brings many extremes of weather. All is not lost, February is the month of love. Love that may push back against ugly depressing weather as well as unpredictable changes we may face. Whatever the change maybe use the month of Love, February, to wrap yourself with warm appreciation for those you share your love with.
If you struggle or question how to handle change creating positivity to manage change reach out to me at 360mindset.com or send me your insights on Twitter at @coachlkw.