How about a little word association experiment? What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about springtime? If you’re like me, just hearing that word lifts your spirit and brings a big smile to your face. I ask this question because, as you most likely know, Wednesday March 20th marks the first official day of spring for 2019. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved this time of year as it marks the end of winter and signals the promise of summer. As I write this today, for example, Mother Nature is on full display bringing with her all the splendor and wonder that springtime delivers. The trees, gardens and countryside are literally transforming before our eyes as they slowly begin to awaken from their deep winter’s nap and produce new life exploding with brilliant color. This annual spectacle of vibrant rejuvenation stimulates your senses, signifies new beginnings and creates a silent yet powerful kind of compelling optimism. In other words, it’s a time of wondrous renewal and magnificent change. At least that’s how I see it in my imaginative little mind!
Not only is the spring a time of literal change regarding the weather and landscape but, in my opinion, it also symbolizes a revived spirit, renewed hope and a positive, new energy. With all of that in mind, my request today is simply to ask you to take a moment out of your busy day and consider the following. In the spirit of change, healthy living and better health, I ask you to allow the wonder and transformational power of Mother Nature to inspire you to live a healthier life. Let the arrival of this year’s spring motivate you to sprout new healthy thoughts, discover untapped will power and improve the shape and condition of your body.
Regardless of how old you are, this can still be the springtime of your life. All you have to do is to plant the seeds of change this spring, in your mind, that will reap you greater health benefits in the future. So, since spring is just around the corner, I have a suggestion for those of you who want to lose weight
or just want to improve your overall health this year. In an attempt to encourage and ignite your motivation, I offer you one of springtime’s most common and magical annual events as fuel for your motivational fire.
This example happens to revolve around a springtime event that my wife and I look forward to and deeply enjoy every year. We have a bluebird box in our back yard that becomes a very busy place and the focus or our attention every spring. Each year, at this time, the bluebirds begin their yearly ritual of building their first nest in that box. It’s an incredible sight to behold as the male and female each participate in building that life sustaining structure piece by piece until it is completed. It’s an amazing aerial dance they engage in as they work closely together, in one coordinated effort, to create one of Nature’s most impressive works of art. I can’t even tell you how many baby bluebirds we have watched hatch, grow and fledge from that box over the years. As I watch them build their nest, I am always impressed by their goal oriented behavior, steadfast focus and unwavering determination. So how does nest building relate to weight loss and healthy living? Allow me to explain.
There is an important lesson to be learned here for those of you who want to start living a healthier life. If you truly want to lose weight or just want to become a healthier person, you must also exhibit goal oriented behavior, steadfast focus and unwavering determination just as my dear feathered friends do. If you ultimately want to succeed with weight management and healthy lifestyle change, you must build your future as those birds build their nest. Both projects take a mindful, determined and unrelenting effort. Those bluebirds don’t worry about occasional setbacks, distractions around them or how long it will take them. They just relentlessly perform the tasks necessary to build that nest and reach their goal.
The key is that they instinctively know what building materials to select and they will only bring materials to the bird box that will fortify and enhance the structure of their nest. They don’t waste their time and energy even considering resources that don’t add strength and value to their creation. In a similar way, the food you eat and the behaviors that you engage in determine the strength and structure of your body and health. What an interesting analogy. The bluebirds bring twigs and grass to their dwelling as you bring food and activity to your body. The kind of nest that those birds build is a direct result of the quality of building materials that they select. Likewise, this same concept holds true for you. The shape and condition of your body is also the direct result of the quality of materials that you choose as well. Just imagine how healthy you would be today if you were as focused and selective as those birds are. And there lies Mother Nature’s springtime health message.
The healthy life you dream about is right there for the taking if you create an environment around you that is focused on wellness and you plant the right seeds of change in your mind. This spring is definitely a good time for planting those mental seeds and laying the foundation for that change! If you put your mind to it, amazing things can happen this spring. Just as those baby bluebirds in my back yard will eventually sprout new wings and start a new life, so can you. So let the transformational power of springtime and the loving hand of Mother Nature provide the inspiration that you need to turn over a new and healthier leaf this spring. Because change is definitely in the air and I suggest that you become a part of it!
Wishing You Great Health,
Dr. John H. Sklare