Diamonds in the Rough

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure. Peter MarshallWhen I think of Siberia in the winter I get flashes of desolate stretches of freezing cold white landscape. It is a cold so deep and relentless that it is hard to imagine how people survive, let alone thrive through the long winter. Today I learned about another example of the power of human positivity against even the most extreme cold in the world the Harbin Snow and Ice FestivalLocated in the northern most area of China, just 400 km from Siberia, it is the largest and most impressive temporary villages of ice palaces, temples, bridges and gigantic sculptures ever assembled in the world. Giant architectural replicas of some of the most beautiful and famous structures in Russia and China are recreated out of ice and then lit from below with colored lights. I was overcome by the beauty, ingenuity, creativity and courage that humanity contains in one of earths most barren landscapes.To create this wonderland of ice and snow art, each year based on a different theme, is one of the highest acts of community I have ever witnessed. How have I never heard of this festival before? How many incredible human efforts are we surrounded by every day that we dont ever witness? How much goodness might be surrounding us right now and we might not even be looking in that direction.I lived through several Minnesota winters; I know deep cold. You have to plug your car into a heater over night. Metals become so brittle that they crack in the cold. It takes 15 minutes just to put on enough clothes to step outside. It isnt generally how you think of festival weather. Yet here a society so driven to come together in life, manifests a literal wonderland out of desolation.Millions of people from all over the world come to marvel at the works of art that will only live until the next thaw. The month of the festival is enough for the artists and builders to spend countles! s hours in the bitterest of colds to create. If ever there were a testament to what is truly heartfelt courage it is this. I never thought I would ever want to go to Siberia in the heart of winterbut here I am saying it, I want to go feel the heart that could melt away the coldest of nights.Not sold yet? Spend a few minutes imaging yourself here. The world will continue to amaze, and no where more so than when we take the most challenging of circumstances and turn them into the diamonds of life. There are only bad conditions in our mind, the rest is what we make it.Related:
Laugh for no Reason
Reclaiming the Fun of It
Wendy Strgar, owner of Good Clean Love, is a loveologist who writes and lectures on Making Love Sustainable, a green philosophy of relationships which teaches the importance of valuing the renewable resources of love and family. Wendy helps couples tackle the questions and concerns of intimacy and relationships, providing honest answers and innovative advice. Wendy lives in Eugene, Oregon with her husband, a psychiatrist, and their four children ages 11-20.

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