April fools again.

April in Vermont is both predictable, and full of surprises.

The cement hard, dirt roads of winter turn into muddy, rutted, bogs overnight.

The small glaciers on the sides of the driveway, left by the plow truck, disappear leaving piles of gravel and scraped up sod.

With the appearance of snow drops, crocus and daffodils, come t-shirts, shorts, and tick spray.

The sun, the warmth, returning birds and the show of lilac buds are reminders that “YES! Once again spring is here! It’s the  fourth month of the year, just like normal”.

And then it snows. What a surprise.

Today we’re having a freak snowstorm, although there is nothing freakish about it. Just like taxes, April snow can’t be avoided.

The best thing about it is we know it won’t last long, despite the fact that this dusting is turning into inches as I stare out the window. The earth has been warming up. This snow is like butter on toast, it’s going to disappear pretty quickly. (It’s a scientific fact I think.)

Here’s the yoga thing, it’s accepting what is happening here and now, knowing that things may get better or may get worse. Although I can’t see the yellow of the daffodils any more, by tomorrow they will have survived this onslaught, or maybe there will be an ice storm next and all the green stems will snap in half. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time.

Knowing things may get better is hopefulness, it’s having faith. Knowing things may get worse is acceptance. Maybe that’s the key, Hopeful Faithful Acceptance.

If we can practice the ability to stay calm on the mat, realizing that nothing, even discomfort in a shape, lasts forever, it can help us do the same off the mat, staring out the window, watching the crocus fully disappear.

Namaste, I’ll bet this snow is gone by May!