What To Do With January

January affords each of us a new beginning. Indeed every day is a new gift, and we get to decide just what to do with it. Well, maybe it’s not that simple. Perhaps our daily responsibilities decide for us how certain parts of our day will be spent. But the attitude we assume as we perform our daily tasks speaks volumes about the way we have chosen to receive this gift of another day.

Now many of you may have made resolutions as you began the New Year: maybe you decided to shed a few holiday pounds or decided you’d pay more attention to your fitness level in the coming year or eat more healthfully. I’ve made a few resolutions of my own, one of which is to more purposely live from the inside out rather than from the outside in. What exactly do I mean?  I intend to be less reactionary and more purposeful. I am the only one who lives in my state of mind. As the sole occupant, I’ve decided it’s time for a little civic beautification. They say “knowledge is power”; and as a former secondary educator, there was a time when I may have once believed that old chestnut. But the truth is that knowledge is only powerful if it is applied. How many doctors or nurses do you know, for example, who smoke despite knowing all about the medical consequences? I realize full well that I am responsible, I and I alone, for my own mental well being, my own state of mind. And yet I often do not apply that knowledge; I often allow a hectic schedule or pressing demands to negatively impact my mental state. And I am resolved in this new year to more actively create my inner state of mind and not merely to react to the circumstances around me.

Now just having told you that outer circumstances should not dictate our inner frame of mind, it may seem odd that I am about to relate some of the wonderful recreational opportunities available to you in Vermont in January. But there really is no contradiction. You see, when we plan some “play” into our lives, we are positioning ourselves to better adapt to the stresses that are a part of our everyday lives. And Vermont provides some great opportunities to play.

What can you do in Vermont in January? Well the list would be long indeed, so I’ll be selective rather than exhaustive in my approach: numerous studies have shown that the simple act of walking reduces mental stress. Now you can walk virtually anywhere and it costs nothing to do. And there is no better place to walk than in Vermont where the natural stress-reducing effects of walking are complemented by the beautiful scenery. If you are a bit more adventurous, might I suggest that your cross-country ski or snowshoe. Both activities are great for physical fitness and mental stress busting. Vermont is, of course, known for the best downhill skiing in the East, so take full advantage of Vermont’s snow-covered slopes while you vacation here in January. Ice fishing is another great activity. Spending a little quiet time in a shanty on the ice is a good cure for mental overload. Vermont is a small state with a BIG reputation for the quality of its spas. Get a massage, take a spinning class or just sit by a cozy fire and relax. And last of all may I suggest the new canopy zipline tour at Smuggler’s Notch Resort? It’s a 2-1/2-hour guided tour. You’ll learn about Vermont’s indigenous flora and fauna as you speed over its topography on more than 4000 feet of ziplines. What a great way to crank yourself up for a successful 2011!

Millstone Recreation is our neighbor here in Central Vermont. They offer cross-country and snowshoe trails that meander about historic granite quarries, offering serene vistas to clear away your mental cobwebs and refresh your mind for an abundant year ahead:

http://www.millstonehill.com/touring/

And don’t forget to check out the new canopy zipline tours when you are skiing Smuggs:

http://www.smuggs.com/pages/winter/amenities/canopy-tour.php

However you choose to spend the gift of this January, I hope you enjoy it!