Like a bear emerging from hibernation …

Spring has sprung!

At the same time, we’re slowly moving out of a year-long pandemic.

Putting those two things together, watching people begin to move into what will be their new normal during these first days of Spring is somewhat reminiscent of a bear emerging from hibernation.

After a long snooze, mind still muddled while trying to fully regain its senses from a long winter’s rest, what does a bear need as it emerges from its den on a Spring day? Pretty much what so many people today need as they emerge from their houses, minds still muddled as they try to regain their senses from a very long pandemic lockdown. Things like …

Feed yourself well. Ever heard the saying, “As hungry as a bear?” Well a bear coming out of hibernation is hungry! They need food to fuel their bodies and provide them with energy. As you head into your new normal, you probably don’t need food because so many people have been gaining weight from all they’ve eaten during lockdown. But a lot of that was junk food; what your body needs as you emerge into a new normal is to be fueled with healthy, nutritious, portion-controlled meals that are good for you body and mind. Make that a new habit in your new normal and it will help you lose weight, foster better health and fitness, and more effectively (and efficiently) provide energy for your body and mind.

Get some exercise. After being cooped up in a cave hibernating, a bear needs some exercise! Just like you, after being locked away in your houses for so long. Gyms are reopening, and outdoor opportunities abound to help you get moving and active again. Many people have literally become physically unfit during the pandemic because they failed to maintain adequate exercise during lockdowns. Now is the time to fix that by starting a personal exercise regimen to care for your body (and your mind!). This doesn’t have to be a formal exercise plan executed in a gym every week, but it should include daily activity that keeps you moving as much as your body needs (which is at least about 30 minutes of activity each day).

Spark your thinking. It’s not just a bear’s body that’s sluggish after a long snooze, they need to spark their minds to get thinking clearly again. A lot of human minds have become mentally sluggish with the endless movie marathons and massive increase in time spent vegging in front of screens for months on end now. It’s time to spark your minds to think more clearly by engaging them in more fruitful and productive pursuits.

Reconnect with others. After a long winter’s nap, a bear heads out of the cave and reconnects with its environment. Being holed up in your house for a year isn’t healthy for you! It’s time to reconnect with family, friends, neighbors and others. Most relationships (of any kind) that fail do so usually because we fail to nurture them. Many people have failed to adequately nurture some relationships during the pandemic, now is the chance to change that by reconnecting with your various relationships.

Take delight in Spring! Even bears appreciate Spring … it’s not cold, it’s not too hot, the forest is fresh and food is plentiful! For us humans, Spring is a beautiful season that is neither too hot nor cold and life is blooming around us — get outside and enjoy it! Appreciate the beauty and breathe in the fresh air!

Time for worship. Okay, I don’t know if bears do this but you’re not a bear! Considering that God has brought you through a brutal time for our nation, provided for you throughout, protected you, and is unfolding in front of you a future of a “new normal,” it’s reason to worship and praise God for all He has done, and for who He is. During the “hibernation” of a pandemic, a lot of people have not stayed connected with their local church, have not maintained a habit of daily Bible reading or study, and have not stayed well-connected with their church family. It’s time to fix all that, starting with a personal time of worshiping God and recalibrating your walk with Him.

Don’t miss enjoying the beauty of a new Spring season, and a new season of life God wants you to fully experience.

Scotty