It was very comfortably warm and cozy in the bus as the frosty winds blew outside with the temperature falling lower and lower. As we reached a patch of nothing-but-snow with a sky untouched by the city lights of Tromso, Norway, I found myself hesitating. I thought of waiting in the bus and just going out later. We anyway hadn’t seen the northern lights on the day before after quite a few hours of waiting. It was freezing outside, and the frequent coughs and sneezes reminded me that I’m already sick. To add to this, I couldn’t find one glove (classic me) and hadn’t put on feet warmers. Finally making up my mind, I pulled myself to get out of the bus, and with just a few steps I found myself knee deep in snow. Being how clumsy I am, I fell and got snow onto my clothes and into my hair. But as I penguin-walked my way to the campfire, I saw the guide staring at the sky with a sparkle in his eye. And once I looked up, I couldn’t believe it- The Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights. I don’t know if my body was warmer or I just forgot to feel cold. I don’t know how my hands and legs weren’t freezing anymore. I don’t know how many times I stumbled around just to get a better view. In that moment I was simply taking it all in, admittedly being slightly careless in the process. And as the lights faded away, I thought about how I would have regretted it if I stayed in. The weather, no matter how bad, in a way made the view even better. And I knew I would wake up sicker the next day and probably also be scolded for my negligence. And as we rode back to my hotel, I realized I still wont have changed a thing. That was when this Stoem was thought of.
Some sore throats are worth it,
you can’t always hide from the rain.
At some point you realise,
There’s a reason the rain came.
You can’t always proceed with caution.
Even if the wind outside is freezing,
Maybe when you feel it across your face,
You’ll see, it’s worth the sneezing.
A bit of recklessness is needed,
Or you’ll miss out on the fun.
If you never leave the comfort zone,
Of the warm and cozy sun.
It’s a trade I’m willing to make,
I’d rather be sick for another day,
Than to be sick of monotony,
Without a story to say 🙂
Mystoems 