It all started yesterday when a friend told me we were expecting a huge snow storm. I immediately got worried, scared and troubled over what was to come. I saw accidents and horrible struggles and fear.

We were planning on having a family breakfast get together in the morning. I was worried we wouldn’t be able to get the one mile down the road to the store for the items we needed in the morning so I hurried up and went that evening.

I awoke to at least 4 or 5 inches of snow and started my coffee. I went on Facebook and I started seeing all these posts about the snow. People were calling it “heart attack” snow because it is wet and heavy.

I figured I would start shovelling so my daughters, sister-in-law and niece could park in the driveway. There would be no parking in the street so the plows could get by. I told my son and other daughter, “One of you watch the bacon and do the cooking and one of you help me shovel. This is heart attack snow.”

As they had just woken up I knew it would be a while before one of them came to help me so I just got started. As I was shovelling I began to think….

“When did it become “heart attack” snow and not “good packing,” “snowman building,” “sledding,” or “snowball fight” snow?

I wondered how many people would have heart attacks shovelling, and how many of those because they thought it was heart attack snow. I thought about how much fear and worry I had felt because I knew it was coming. I thought about how much negativity was being spread as people were freaking out about the snow. I got sucked in too. I just told my kids the same thing.

I started trying to change the way I felt about it. Actually, I like shovelling. I always have. It’s a great workout and I like the sense of accomplishment I feel when the driveway is all cleared. Although, according to the weather man, I probably won’t get to feel that until tomorrow when it finally stops.

I thought about all the extra money the snowplow drivers would make. I thought about the breakfast we were having and my family I was clearing the driveway for. How lucky I am to have a good reason to shovel.

I thought about writing in the snow and taking a picture for my friend that moved to California.

Then my son came out to help me. I am so lucky to have a son that cares about me and will help me. He was exhibiting a lot of the snow negativity as we were talking while shovelling. I told him all the things I was thinking and that the choice is always his as to how he wants to view the world. I told him how awesome this snow was cause we got the chance to talk and spend this time together. I got the chance to give him some guidance. This was a good thing.

As we were shovelling a guy came down the street on a snowmobile. I bet that guy was happy as a clam. Then I heard the neighbor’s kids across the street in their yard. The voices were happy, cheerful, excited.

Now I know driving in it really stinks, but my sis-in-law & niece did it anyway to come and see us. My daughters and son-in-law too, although they didn’t have far to come.

My youngest had to work too, so we had to drive her and will pick her up but I’m sure  we will make it without a mishap. I do feel for all the people who have to drive today but hopefully most people can stay in and hey, maybe they could really use some down time anyway.

So the challenge and lesson for today, as it is every day, is to be conscious of the way we think and what we share with others. We can choose to be sucked into the negativity and keep spreading it or we can choose to see the good in things and spread more light.

So, heart attack snow? Snow it’s not. It’s great snowball snow!