By Icy Frantz
I love the changing of the seasons.
And this love has kept me tethered to the sometimes-brutal cold that is the Northeast in wintertime.
I don’t particularly enjoy the cold days, but I need them because they allow me to anticipate and relish what’s coming next.
Experiencing it all—the falling of the leaves, the shortening of the days, the chilling of the air, the excitement of the first snow, and the exhaustion of the last—followed by the arrival of new growth: crocuses peeking out from a thawing ground, trees and shrubbery coming to life, gray growing colorful, and the welcome warmth of the sun—is enriching.
For me, there is beauty in contrast, more specifically, I appreciate beauty more fully because of contrast.
It’s early March, and just when it begins to feel like winter will never end, we are gifted these moments that foreshadow what’s ahead: longer days, brighter skies, rising temperatures, and the chance to put away that heavily worn and tired down coat.
These moments make trudging through the super cold days worth it. Almost.
These moments feel great, especially against the bleak backdrop of winter.
And while I do not want to give winter bad press, certainly there are many positives associated with the season that is drawing to a close (think skiing and snuggling inside by a fire) and actually there are some who prefer it, but for the rest of us, we are ready for change.
Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz about the benefits of a cold plunge. And although the science is real, for the life of me, I can’t begin to fathom sitting in frigid water for seven minutes. But I think it proves my point—seven minutes of freezing your proverbial butt off makes the time that follows that much more wonderful.
“Just think how good it’s going to feel when I get out,” I imagine I would yell if I were willing to take the plunge.
And just yesterday, I was in an exercise class, body contorted upside down on a sweaty yoga mat. The animated, energetic teacher was counting down to the beat of the music when she offered. “When you get through this- the results are going to be worth all of this pain.”
Yup, there is beauty in contrast.
And contrast significantly enhances other domains too.
In visual arts, contrasting colors and light create depth and make a piece more impactful. With food, contrasting flavors such as sweet and salty create a more complex tasting experience. (Who can argue with salted caramel?) In literature, contrasting characters (such as a villain and a hero) can heighten the narrative’s tension and move the story forward. And in nature, is there anything more astonishing than a tall, rugged, rocky mountain rising up from a soft, serene meadow?
I have been thinking a lot about this idea and how it is applicable to our life and the human experience.
Last summer was a challenging one for me. Our beloved dog died at the age of twelve. And you know how we have our “people”; well, he was my “dog,” and losing him was devastating. A family member was struggling with some health issues, which was scary, and I was not seeing eye to eye with some friends with whom I usually see eye to eye.
And although it was summer—when I typically feel light and free, probably a holdover from my school days and beloved summer vacations—I was not feeling that way at all.
I was forced to sit in the uncomfortable.
I do not like the uncomfortable.
The uncomfortable is the cold plunge.
And yet, I knew from past experiences that the way I was feeling—the grief and the sadness—would not last forever.
Eventually, I would come through it.
Maybe not as quickly as I would have liked—seven minutes in frigid water can feel like an eternity.
But I would come through it.
And when I did, I welcomed the aftermath—time where I was surefooted, happier, and all seemed right in the world, or at least in my little orbit. It was time that I appreciated more fully because of those darker days.
Inevitably, seasons transition, one into another, and darker periods in our lives lighten as well.
It’s worth noting that although, I cherish the good times, I tend to learn more during the challenging ones.
Time spent in a cold plunge or in a prolonged contorted yoga pose, creates health benefits that serve us well in the future.
Likewise, challenging periods in life, have always forced me to pause and reflect, become a little more self-aware, reach outside of myself for guidance, and usually grow up a little.
But for the record, I prefer stagnant happiness.
As we stand on the threshold of spring, ready to bid farewell to winter’s chill, I feel a blend of relief and gratitude. We have made it through the cold days and now we appreciate the warmth that is ahead of us. The arrival of spring is more celebratory because of winter.
Seasons, much like life itself, remind us that nothing is permanent. Each phase has its purpose, and every challenge holds the potential for growth. Happily, I shed my winter boots, and I am thankful for both the warm and cold moments in life.
So, here’s to the arrival of spring, to crocuses pushing through thawing ground, and to the beauty and benefits in contrast. While I may prefer stagnant happiness, I know that the ebbs and flows of life are what truly shape me.
Happy Spring!
