Have you ever heard or used that expression? It’s something we often say when a situation can’t be changed — a way of admitting that we simply have to accept things as they are. “Like it or not, the snow will soon start to fall because temperatures are dropping.”
True — we can’t control the weather. But is passive acceptance really the only option?
I’ve never heard a child complain about the first snowfall. Instead, they wake up shouting, “It snowed!” and run outside to play. For them, snow isn’t a burden — it’s a chance for play and fun.
So why do we adults so often dread it? Maybe it’s because we immediately notice the inconveniences, and there are indeed plenty of those.
It seems that while adults focus on the “or not” part of the expression, children focus on the “like it” part.
And maybe that’s something we can learn from?
Over the years, I’ve had assignments I simply had to accept. Some I didn’t enjoy much and was relieved to finish. But when I moved on, I often realised I missed things about the previous one — the people or the small benefits.
That taught me to look for what I actually could like in each assignment, and focus on that instead of the downsides.
These days, I look forward to the first snow. I remind myself how lucky I am to enjoy it without having to travel far to find it. I even try to embrace the darkness of Swedish winter — curling up on the sofa under a warm blanket with a good book, hot tea, and candlelight.
I choose to “like it,” whatever “it” is — because life feels lighter and I feel happier when I do.
Anders Hast 