Ground Zero

"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius."

-- Pietro Aretino

As I write this the temperature is zero. It's winter in Chicago, and it's cold enough to freeze the balls off the proverbial brass monkey. Today we've got a modicum of sun, at least, so it's not exactly cold, gray, depressing suicide weather, you know, Seattle meets Barrow, Alaska.

It's easy to wish away the winter and dream of enjoying exotic umbrella drinks on tropical isles. But in so doing we miss winter's greatest gift -- the chance to hibernate, ruminate and create. In winter the energy of the world slows a bit, attractions and distractions are both fewer. We are given the opportunity to find depth in ourselves rather than breadth in the world. And from this fermentation, this slow percolation, genius is born.

Is it mere coincidence that most of the great philosophers, teachers and spiritual leaders in history came not from the tropics but from temperate climes? I think not. It's easy to enjoy the now, but hard to think deep thoughts, with sand between your toes and a pina colada in your hand. As corny as it sounds, winter builds character.

So use winter. Use the cold, the snow, the lack of motivation and mobility to go within, to explore ideas that have been hanging around on the street corners of your consciousness, to create art from your depths and music from your heart.

Spring will soon be here, and we will rejoice! Until then, there is no need to soldier grimly on, we can, instead, explore the beautiful winter landscape of the soul. Still, if there's anyone in Florida who'd like to trade their condo on the Gulf for an apartment in Chicago for a week, just let me know!