The Sunshine Report Finding Joy – Making the Most of It! Jay shares thoughts on embracing the season and finding joy in what winter has to offer. Around this time of year, it’s not hard to feel like the winter has dragged on long enough. And, while it’s true that this has been a particularly cold, tough winter season in many respects, we still have a bit of winter yet ahead – and we have a choice. We can either hunker down, stay indoors and grimace as winter passes us by – or we can embrace the winter and all the joy it has to offer. Some final days of skiing, ice fishing, cross-country treks, heading out on the snowmobile trails and more. And while so doing, using these activities as fun occasions to spend with family and friends, making memories to last a lifetime. This weekend in my hometown of Newport, we will be marking the 106th consecutive Newport Winter Carnival, the longest running winter festival in the United States. Even when threatened by COVID, some extraordinary members of the Newport community made sure the title was maintained. It’s an incredibly festive occasion, one that celebrates community and, though it may sound strange to some, the joys of winter. Newport isn’t the only place that celebrates during this time, with some larger cities like Quebec City and Rio de Janeiro also being known for their winter carnivals as well. After the excitement of the holiday season in December, sometimes the rest of winter can feel like it drags on. But Carnival as it’s ​​colloquially known, is traditionally the celebration of the beginning of Lent, and the eventual ushering in of Spring. It marks a moment of transition. While we may make our resolutions at the beginning of the year, this period is where we act on our intentions. It’s where we set ourselves on a trajectory to accomplish our goals for the year. It’s where we double down and commit to trying our hand at that new thing, we set out to try at the start of the year or prepare for what the rest of the year has to bring. In short, it's a moment for action. Those of you who are avid gardeners know that the flowers which bloom in the spring are actually planted in the fall. They not only endure the entirety of a harsh, cold winter, it turns out they actually need it. It gives them the nutrients, and time, necessary to eventually blossom in the spring. It’s a metaphor, and lesson, that many of us can use as we look to the months ahead (especially those of us who may not like the cold or are ready for the warm spring months). As we go into this weekend which heralds the coming of spring, celebrate this opportunity to put intentions into action, and set your own path, on your terms. Read The Full Report Winter Festivals: A Proud New England Tradition Read More Ice Fishing - It’s a ‘Solid’ Good Time Read More Positive Profile of the Week: Bode Miller The spirit of Olympic athletes is upon us this week. As such, we are highlighting a special New Hampshire native who has flown down mountains around the world and especially New Hampshire’s own Cannon Mountain. We are of course talking about Olympic gold medalist Bode Miller. Raised in Easton, New Hampshire, Bode grew up in a log cabin within walking distance of Cannon and embrace the mountain and the sport of skiing from an early age. Bode is the most successful American male alpine skier of all time with five World Championship medals and six Olympic medals while also standing on 79 World Cup podiums. Always looking for the fastest way to fly down the course, Bode has been one of the sport’s greatest innovators - from developing new techniques to shaping improved equipment. In fact, he has shared much of this and more in his truly terrific book, Bode: Go Fast, Be Good, Have Fun. Bode has even had a biographical film made about him called Flying Downhill. Yet with all his success and international fame, Bode has never forgotten his home state. He has been an active participant and supporter of worthy causes throughout New Hampshire. For instance, he played for the Nashua Pride professional baseball team in a fundraiser for the Turtle Ridge Foundation, an organization founded by Bode that helps youth and the disabled community participate in various sports and recreational activities that would not be available to them without such assistance. Bode has since retired from skiing and has been investing his time and effort in horse training, IT technology and most of all, family. We are honored to profile Bode this week – a true New Hampshire treasure. Thank you! Quotes of the Week “Winter forms our character and brings out our best.” – Tim Allen Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us  ‌ ‌ ‌ Jay Lucas | 7 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]