Preparing To Spring Ahead

I am renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated. My energy is restored and I am sharing and putting the lessons learned into action. 

At least I am now after this past weekend.

Those instances and events reminded me of the importance of being prepared for what may spring ahead of us at any time. That’s where we’ll continue our conversation on this edition of “Becoming Today”. 

As I shared yesterday in “43 Hours”, I promised to discuss more about being prepared and how the little things really do matter. Also mentioning that  I uncovered some hidden things as I went to replace my batteries.

As I endured my night of “screech and flash”, awakened first by the faulty smoke detector battery after I finally figured out where this cyclical alarm was sounding from I noted, 

“So still being new to this house, it took a few moments for me to learn how to loosen the cover, where’s the battery door, get it open and pop out the battery. Good that’s done …..SCREECEECHH! … 

You’re still wired to the house, the power is on, why are you tormenting me and I’ll admit a few others words I shouldn’t have said are being muttered at this what in the moment seems like an  instrument of torture designed to warn me in an emergency.

 …..SCREECEECHH! …

I know! I’m working on it. So it’ll need a new battery. Where are they? Nine volt batteries, nothing else uses them anymore, I hope I have one …..SCREECEECHH! …

I’ve had it and up the ladder I go again, hmm how do I disconnect this. Okay it’s one clip here and …SCREeee…. Got it before it could finish it’;s screech this time!

As I descend I’m looking at this device and discovering a few other unwelcome surprises too.”

In  perhaps an all too prevalent reminder that the time is near for a good spring cleaning, very quickly it became obvious to me, as the gnats, gunk and grime chose to rain down upon me as I worked to disconnect the angry device.

It’s amazing that so much could accumulate in such a small area and not be noticeable from beneath. I mean I walk under it at least 20 times a day I guess I just never look up there.

Anyway as I thought this needs a good Spring cleaning I realized just how close we are to the change in seasons. In fact for us, we’ll “Spring ahead” this weekend. 

The return of Daylight Savings Time, leaves us with more to do than reset clocks and try to remember how to change that one, that confounds us every six months. 

It’s time to refresh and renew not only items in our life, but also ourselves.

This too I was given clues too, just as I realized the failing batteries in the smoke detectors were due to the fact that they expired a year ago, I became very aware of all the other things that I needed to restock and refresh my supplies of.

Vitamins, supplements need to be refilled and even pen and ink have been running out this week. I use a lot of different colors in my note taking and sudden;ly I was digging through the supplies, needing a new red pen, now the pink has run out, time to refill my favorite ballpoint, and now even another green one. 

Looking at some of the traditional symbols associated with this seasonal change, Spring has generally been accepted as the start of something new,  a time of new beginnings, a period of progress, the blossoming of new things, birth, growth  and creating new life.  All very “Becoming” aspects. 

Dreaming of spring indicates taking pleasure in life.  Spring is most often thought of as the season of happiness. Nature, flowers, leaves, plants, trees, vegetables, and fruits all begin to blossom.

Other interpretations of Spring include it being a time of : 

Rebirth

Fertility

Renewal

Creativity

Rejoicing

Gratitude

Expression

Transition

Productivity

These are all new beginnings like the ones we may envision for ourselves. While speaking of dreaming, did you know that sleep experts say you need to be adjusting your routine, now, before the clocks are reset?

According to a group known as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults need to get a minimum of seven hours of sleep, the weeks before and after the clocks are adjusted.

They say we should also gradually, better start tonight then, adjust our routines by making our bedtimes 15-20 minutes earlier each night. Apparently that is to make up for the hour we’ll “lose” on Sunday morning. 

They also suggest shifting our meal times to also reflect the changes ahead.

Another recommendation from the group of doctors is to set your clocks ahead before going to bed at your normal time, Saturday night, instead of waiting till the next morning. 

Plus here’s a “Ro-notation” for you, do not try this at home. Do not attempt what my Grandfather always did, which was to set alarm clocks to get everyone up in order to make sure all the clocks were all adjusted at precisely two in the morning. 

The sleep experts also say on Sunday morning you should go outside and get some direct sunlight to realign your body’s rhythms. I do not believe this step is necessary in cases of thunderstorms, snow falling, tornadoes or an ice event. 

Now those who do not take steps to ensure they are well rested and realigned for the seasonal shift could be in store for some scary times on the roads over the next week. 

A different study reveals that in the week after the switch to Daylight Savings Time, the number of fatal traffic accidents in the United States increases by six-percent. The majority of those occur in the morning hours, and the further west you are in the timezones the more affected you are by time change. 

As the seasons begin to change we are preparing ourselves for a time of awakening, blossoming and reemerging. The coming season of Spring does have some spiritual implications. It represents waking from a period of hibernation, a time when we are suddenly made aware of the possibilities of new life, new ways and yes a new us.

In the Scriptures,  the passage often referred to as “A Time For Everything”, outlines the many changing seasons we all experience in life. It outlines the constant cycle of “Becoming”. In fact 28 specific times or seasons are mentioned  in this one passage. 

Now on “Becoming Today”, as part of our examination of ourselves and our shared paths we’ll  take note that not included  in those examples is a very important aspect;  none of the 28 mention a time to quit.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, is perhaps so revered and often quoted because of its poetic approach towards life. It balances 14 distinct elements we all experience at one time or another, and some more than once. It reinforces our constant state of Always Being “Becoming”.  

It teaches and reminds us that life is a mix of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, harmony and struggle, and life and death. Each season has its appropriate time. 

Some are difficult, and still we know that we must never give up and continue on in Faith, trusting in God, believing his plans for us are always based upon  good purposes and joyful outcomes. 

As the passage begins “There is a time for everything,…..”

Included among the lessons learned in studying these verses is that we are to accept each day as a gift from the hand of God because He has a reason and a time for all things. 

There is much wisdom to be gained in understanding this concept of:

“There is a time for everything, / and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

When we live our lives in faith we are “Becoming” our destinies as we comprehend and embrace the power in always trusting God. Our lives truly reveal their meaning and purpose when we rely on His wisdom, timing and goodness.

Much of “Becoming” involves embracing the need for change, it is the only way in which we can truly grow, develop and realize our potentials.  

Life is a process. A repetitive one. We learn, grow, become then question, learn, grow and continue “Becoming”.

Now just because the Vernal Equinox is approaching and the Northern Hemisphere will be entering the Spring season does not necessarily mean all of us will be. So how do you determine what season you may be preparing for? I’m glad you asked, because that’s where we’ll pick up tomorrow, here on  “Becoming Today”.