Winter officially began in late December, but it truly arrived in Pittsburgh this week. It snowed a little on Monday morning, snowed a lot on Tuesday, and was frigid (7°F) on Wednesday.
When I woke up on Tuesday morning, I peeked out the window and saw a few inches of snow on the ground with more falling from the sky. As soon as I finished breakfast (and a warm mug of coffee!), I laced up my snow boots and hooked Lola on her leash. We were ready to go!
(Kind of a sneak peek of the closet room flooring! No, we still haven’t totally finished the room yet, haha.)
We walked in the quiet, dark morning, and it was probably the most peaceful walk I’ve ever been on. Lola was so happy to be in the snow, and kept eating it and flicking it in the air with her nose. I felt like I was walking in a real-life snow globe.
Something I’m learning is that we get to choose our attitude in life. We may not determine what happens to us, but we can decide how we react. Winter comes every year here in the ‘Burgh, and I get to choose whether I want to embrace it and find joy in freshly fallen snow and crisp air, or whether I want to resent the cold and complain about driving on icy roads.
One way of thinking can bring happiness, while another can make us miserable. It’s up to us to decide how we want to feel. Winter is here and I’m choosing to enjoy it and make the most of it this year 🙂
Living My Full Life 
Learning how to react is a lesson I learned a while ago too. We can’t control every aspect of our lives but we can control how we respond to them.
Amen!! It’s something I am continually working on, but always helps me in life!
This is so true! Our attitudes most definitely affect so much of our lives! I’m so glad you got to experience that peaceful walk with Lola! The whole snow globe experiences sounds magical. 🙂
Yes! And it was such a wonderful walk!! I’ll remember it forever 🙂
Yikes, stay warm. I agree- don’t stress over the weather or conditions. It’s not something you can control, and you’ve always lived there so you’ve been through it before and can deal. Good luck with the snow…
Exactly!! Thanks, Amy!
I’m jealous of all your snow! No sign of anything here yet. 😦 Winter usually makes me cranky by the end, but I’m ready for it this year because it seems so delayed ha! The first picture you took is beautiful!
Aww, did you get any snow yet?! I agree, by March I am usually ready for spring! And thank you for the compliment on my picture!
It flurried yesterday for a good part of the day! I walked out of church and actually screamed hahaha! But nothing stuck 😦 I want to get better at taking pictures. Sometimes I don’t know if I need the right moment or if I personally need to be good at it…probably both!
I totally agree that winter is what you make it. I know it gets cold so rather than trying to look cute, I look cuddly and I layer my clothing. I slipped on the ice, so I’m taking my running indoors until my knee is fully recovered. I used to just ignore winter, and that made it worse. I do try to appreciate the pretty parts, like warm drinks, cute boots, scarves and sweaters, candles, cozy blankets and an excuse to read a good book indoors. God created winter (just like He created snakes—ew) and so I will so my best to find something I like 🙂
Beautiful picture Allie!
Haha yes! You have the right attitude about the cold, Ellie! Thanks for the compliment on my picture, too!
“Something I’m learning is that we get to choose our attitude in life. We may not determine what happens to us, but we can decide how we react.”
Yes,yes,yes! Couldn’t agree with that more. We choose our own joy. Beautiful post, friend!
Amen!! Thanks, Christina. Hope all is well for you and that you’re having an amazing 2016 so far!
Winter has arrived here too! After a month of rain and very warm temperatures for the time of year, it snowed a little on Thursday and more is forecast for Monday. Bright, frosty mornings with blue sky are so pretty! 🙂
I completely agree — learning how to respond to situations is a valuable lesson. I try to do that in everyday life, and to ‘find the good’ in things.
I could not agree with you more on the combo of a clear blue sky on a frosty morning. It’s so crisp and vivid! Amen to finding the good in things (I almost typed “food” instead of “good” haha!). It’s not always easy, and sometimes I fail, but I’m always glad when I try and see the good in every situation!
Haha, I’m with you on food. 🙂 I seem to be so hungry at the moment! It must be the cold weather…
That is the perfect attitude to have! January can feel dreary but it’s all about attitude!
Thanks, Liz!!
You are so right – attitude makes all the difference! And I love that a good attitude can be contagious – helping others keep the positive perspective is a double win.
Yes! You’re right about a good attitude being contagious! That’s the best 🙂
This is SO true! And this blog post proves that you’re wiser than many people who are twice your age. Attitude really is everything!
Happiness depends on circumstances, but our joy can never be taken away. 🙂
Life is precious, and it’s so important to make the most of every moment we’re given!
Yes for sure! Every time I start feeling beat-down by the heat here I reach for my trusty volume of Albert Camus and re-read “Summer in Algiers”, and it reminds me how much I really love the sunlight and the warm air.
That’s such a good idea! You’re very blessed to have sunlight and warm air. It’s currently 19 degrees Fahrenheit in Pittsburgh!
I absolutely love this post Allie and can’t agree with you more. I went on a run yesterday morning after we got all of that snow and it was the best run I’ve had in a long time. It’s all about attitude and realizing that we cannot control everything around us, we can only control our response to it.
I also wanted to recommend The Untethered Soul to you to read in the future. It’s a really amazing book and totally changed my perspective on life and thoughts. Stay warm! 🙂
Yes, you’ve got it so right about us being able to control our attitude. And really, attitude is everything!
I am going to add The Untethered Soul to my to-read list!! Thank you 🙂