The February Blues
Trigger warning: This post contains notions that might be considered cultural appropriation. If you find that to be the case, please understand my motivation to learn and grown spiritually, morally and artistically through the study of others. If this sounds like an excuse, please educate me. February in the Northwoods can be tiresome to say the least. Biting north winds rearrange the landscape of drifted snow. The frozen earth and grey skies tire soles and souls. The birds disappear to the low bushes of the deep swamps, crops left standing house unseen deer and those animals that can hibernate do, preferring senselessness to the desolation of winter. It seems all of creation huddles and endures. And every year this landscape mirrors the mid-winter spirit of the classroom. Students and teachers alike become more sluggish during this time of year, as if we're saving our energy for the promise of Spring. Enthusiasm is hard to come by, self-motivation is a snow ...