Feb28

Publisher - March 2022

Publisher0921“‘Is the spring coming?’ he said. ‘What is it like…’
‘It is the sun shining on the rain
and the rain falling on the sunshine…’”
– Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden -

About this time of year, animals that are known to hibernate begin to emerge from their long winter naps. There is no given day for this occurence; it is based on rising temperatures and longer sunlight. It’s no coincidence that these two factors also arouse humans to emerge from the stale dimness of the indoors to meander out to sit on park benches, take long walks and look at the sky to gather the sun’s warmth.

Surprisingly, many animals come out of hibernation sleep deprived and ravenously hungry. I thought all they did was sleep, but apparently their bodies expend a lot of energy in order to make it through the winter on very little food, without freezing to death. Thus, when waking up to spring their main goal is to get their energy back and prepare for summer.

Not so surprisingly, that’s exactly where I’m at—ready to fully wake up, get my energy back, and prepare (both mentally and physically, and let’s throw in emotionally, too) for summer, which means spending time in a swim suit—something bears don’t have to worry about. And, we all know the formula for this—eating less, eating healthy and exercising.

In case you, like me, didn’t get the memo, January was the month to stop eating sweets and goodies. And this will make you feel better if you, like me, have managed not to exercise throughout January and February, when most everyone else has been on fire with their workouts. The good news for all of us who fall into this category (but are now in panic mode and desperate because more and more days require pulling out clothes that don’t cover you like a bear—read as: Get out of your flannel jammies!) is we are going to be cranking up our gym mojo, right when all the resolutioners are contemplating quitting. See, there is a silver lining to our tardy zeal.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get moving. Seriously, the warmer temperatures and longer sunny days are working their magic on me just like the hibernating groundhogs. In fact, just the other day, I came out, saw myself in the mirror, and ran to the gym for a six-week membership. Believe me, I wanted to go back to sleep, but I figured getting a six-week head start would make a huge difference in feeling lighter, brighter and healthier. After all, spring is nature’s way of saying let’s party!”

Here’s some inspiration to get up off that thang and exercise ’til you feel better:

1. Do what you like to do! For me, this is walking, especially to get back into the swing of things. I don’t care if some people claim walking isn’t exercising. One thing is for sure: It’s better than sitting! Plus it is gentle on your body and does great things for your heart. I love walking the beach at sunrise, and I haven’t done it in a while. For me, the hardest part is getting there, though it’s not even far; it’s just the mental hurdle of getting dressed, putting emails, bank balances and coffee on hold and getting out the door. Once there, the walk is enjoyable, and the sunrise is awe-inspiring. I used to call it the big morning show when I was a regular. Also, my legs never looked better than when I was walking the beach four mornings a week. Wowza! There’s something about that sand.

2. Let spring put a spring in your step.
There really is some kind of energy potion to the weather spring brings that rejuvenates our bodies and souls. It’s not just that it’s warmer, it’s that it’s perfect—the temps, the soft breezes, the gentle warmth of the sun, the birds’ joyful symphonies. Basically, all of nature comes alive to beckon us to shake off the winter blues and embrace life with new verve.

3. Choose light over heavy.
Everything about winter is heavy—the clothes, the food, the darkness, the mental strain, the lack of color. But spring brings a wispiness to us. Softer clothes, fresher foods, lighter days, color-filled blooms, lush greenery—everything just lightens up; You can physically feel it. Tap into the nature within you. I promise it wants to connect with the nature outside of you—that’s why it’s called human nature.

I hope you will allow spring to infiltrate your body and soul, and that it gets you moving, feeling lighter, emoting happiness and filling your spirit with joy. I don’t think it irony that it is Mr. Snow Miser who gives us step-by-step instructions on just what to do: “You put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking ‘cross the floor. You put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking out the door!” Mr. Snow Miser understands the magic of spring, and pushes himself to loosen up his frigid stiff joints, take that first wobbly step and get going.
That’s the plan, plain and simple: Get up, get out and get going! As Oxford Philosopher Bernard Williams once said, “The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created spring!” Spring brings us great hope! We can do it!

I hope to see you at the beach—with spring in your every step!

Think Pink,
Elizabeth Millen