Snow

So an idea for you to ruminate upon . . .

What is it about snow that makes it beautiful to the human eye? I mean, it's slick, cold, wet, uncomfortable, and a hassle to clear away; so why are we so glad when it comes? Why do we find it a beautiful sight to look out upon a snow-covered neighborhood from our windows? If snow is such an inconvenience, why is it also loved so much?

Well, here's an idea that came to me as I was looking out the window this morning. Classes are canceled today, so I've been taking the morning a bit slow. Our window blinds are completely up, so I was able to look out upon the campus without impediment.

One of my first observations was that the roads and sidewalks were not actually there, or so it seemed. You couldn't see them or have any idea where they were before the plows came through. The landscape seemed flattened out with the snow and made more uniform.

So I thought, all the wonders that science and human ingenuity have brought us are all covered over. I think in the new fallen snow of winter, we can catch a glimpse of what nature was before humans began building cities, roads, sidewalks, sewers, etc. The snow is the last remnant of pure nature that we have, at least for a time, to transport us to a simpler time in our minds.

The snow also bids us slow down. For one thing, driving can be treacherous if we drive too fast on the snow. We must also tread carefully while walking to keep from slipping. Furthermore, snow has a tendency to (like today) cause our institutions and jobs to shut down, giving us back the time we daily pour into these tasks. With the time that snow makes us take in everything, we remember, perhaps, what our passions are. Left undirected, humans (from my observations) will do those things that they truly love to do. Those who love rest will sleep (and well they should, especially if they are constantly sleep-deprived, as college students often are). Those who like to read and write things (like myself) have the opportunity to do so without interruption. Those who love the outdoors will go and experience it in a new, fresh way when they step out into the cold. But perhaps most of all, those who need time to think may take it. Perhaps a snow day from time to time is exactly what people need.

It is my proposal that all these observations make the human eye welcome the sight of snow, for what it represents and does. We live simpler lives when a foot of snow covers the ground. Less bustle and hurry mean that we may truly live and refresh ourselves for when the snow melts and we return to our busy routines.