Inspirational articles from Living Life Fully

Snowy Day Gifts
Joseph J. Mazzella

Every winter here in the mountains of my home we get a few "gift" days when the snow falls faster and heavier than the snow plows can move it away. It usually happens at night. We wake up in the morning only to see anywhere between six and twelve inches of fresh fallen snow lining our drive.

My kids love these days. They love it especially when it happens during the middle of the week and they get a "snow day" off from school. Being snowed in doesn't bother them because we eventually wade out into the deep snow to build snowmen, snowwomen, and even snowdogs.

We also have our share of snowball fights and make snow angels. The kids and their Mom have also been known to gather some snow up for snow ice cream and snow slushies. I don't mind shoveling the drive so much when I know that a slushie of snow mixed with orange juice is waiting for me when I head back inside.

The gifts of these snowed in days has become a special source of joy for me and my family over the years. While many people see them only as a nuisance and a danger we have been blessed to see the joys that can lie in them as well. I think that if people could only see the joy and happiness that can lie in the "bad" days that they would begin to realize what a gift life truly is.

Yes, life has its share of problems, frustrations, pains, and sorrows. It also has, however, an endless supply of beauty, joy, light, laughter, and love. It is up to us to choose what we want out of it. Life is a wonderful, glorious gift given to us by God. Each new day we receive it again. Whether it comes in the form of a bright sunny day or a snowed in day it is ours. May each of you then enjoy to the fullest the gift of your life and all its days. May each of you give thanks to God for all the joy, love, and life you have been given.

Joe's a happily married father of three who lives in the mountains of West Virginia.

quotations - contents - welcome page - obstacles
our current e-zine - the people behind the words - articles and excerpts
Daily Meditations, Year One - Year Two - Year Three - Year Four

Sign up for your free daily spiritual or general quotation ~ ~ Sign up for your free daily meditation

We have some inspiring and motivational books that may interest you. Our main way of supporting this site is through the sale of books, either physical copies or digital copies for your Amazon Kindle (including the online reader). All of the money that we earn through them comes back to the site in one way or another. Just click on the picture to the left to visit our page of books, both fiction and non-fiction!

Yes, life can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's actually rather dependable and reliable. Some principles apply to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning. I use it a lot when I teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives. What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or generous, compassionate or arrogant? In this book, I've done my best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life, writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard. Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too!
Universal Principles of Living Life Fully. Awareness of these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration out of the lives we lead.