It is April 18, 2022. At this very minute it is 44 degrees and extremely cold outside. Yesterday was Easter Sunday, and to look outside and feel the temperature, it is hard to believe that just yesterday it was 70 degrees and sunny with a light breeze. From one day to the next it’s as if you don’t even know what season we are actually in. Raining and in some areas today, SNOW, the weather is just like life…up and down. It’s actually befitting, however, that in the heart of Spring, the Easter Season, when it is expected to be warm and beautiful, feels as if we are in the middle of Winter.
The word cold has several meanings. Senseless, lacking warmth, depressing, and unprepared are simply a few of its meanings. Because Easter does not have a fixed date on the calendar, it is considered a moveable feast. The fifty days following Easter is the Easter Season, which is also moveable due to the different dates it may fall between. With the varying dates comes varying weather. Therefore, it makes sense to me that each year we can expect to be surprised about what weather the Easter Season will bring. The abruptness of today’s cold, rain and snow after such a beautiful Easter Sunday definitely gives a feeling of senselessness, lack of warmth, gloom and depression. I was completely unprepared for today’s outfit; clueless about what to wear. This year, similar to the past two years, feels like anything but Easter. Ever since COVID, people too have become senseless, depressed, unprepared for change, and definitely lacking a warm spirit. The bottom line, the world and its people have become cold just like the so-called Spring and Easter Seasons.
Many of us become depressed, unmotivated etc. when it is cold and gloomy. We may not be able to change the weather, but we can change how we react to it, what we do and how we allow it to affect us mentally. Almost every area of our lives can affect our mental health, and whether or not the results are negative or positive is determined by us taking charge and addressing the issues. Being able to navigate through weather changes, death, broken relationships, finances, etc. is most often determined by how we care for ourselves mentally.
During these next forty-nine days if we mentally prepare for anything, we can mentally get through anything. Living as if we have NEW LIFE and actively working on being mentally healthy can provide the ability to be ready for whatever cold the weather brings, as well as what this cold world brings. When we allow our minds to be healthy, we are motivated, warm, prepared and welcoming. Overall, we are in a better frame of mind and the darkness and gloom around us appears brighter. No matter the weather, what is in our mind and heart is going to determine our outcome. I decided to choose a healthy mind; I’ll prepare for the weather one day at a time by keeping a jacket or change of clothes for each season in the trunk of the car. As for a healthy mind, self-evaluation, therapy, coping skills…whatever it takes to keep my mind, body and heart healthy. After all, a healthy mind leads to a happier life.
Here is to a Happy Easter Season!
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