BEACON: Rev. Scott Aaseng
MAY 2012
Spring Fever Time!
Rev. Scott Aasang, Intern Minister
saaseng@unitytemple.org
One of the things I used to love about spring was the notion of “spring fever” and the permission it gave me to just “do nothing.” Of course I didn’t just sit or lay around the house, I usually went outside and found a melting icejam to break, or wandered around the yard reacquainting myself with the sprouting greenery, or hopped on my bike and went to a lake or a park for no particular reason. Springtime was a time to recharge my batteries.
I’m realizing it’s time for me to get spring fever again. I’ve been pushing pretty hard getting myself through my ministerial credentialing process (happily approved, thank you) and my older daughter through her college decision process (still in process as of this writing…) and helping various congregational trips to Springfield get launched (quite successfully, I might add). It’s time to let myself do nothing.
For me, springtime is a time to start opening up my leaves and soaking up the sunshine, letting my tired cells come back to life. During the summer I can pretty much just run on solar—that’s when the energy (spirit) of life flows most freely for me. I head into fall activities with full batteries, but by the end of winter I’m down to one bar. It would be nice if I was like my cell phone and had some blinking lights to warn me when I’m running on empty, but the signs are actually there if I pay attention.
I believe there are lots of ways to recharge. For some of us it’s being out in nature, for others of us it’s sitting quietly meditating. For some of us it’s being with people, for others of us it’s being alone. For some of us it’s physical activity, for others of us it’s sitting in the sun reading a good book. For some of us it’s playing or listening to music, for others of us it’s getting involved in some kind of service. The list could go on and on; as always, there are many paths.
The thing is to recognize when the path we’re on isn’t working, and try another one. Or maybe get off the path altogether and start wandering around in the woods. Because life isn’t just about getting from here to there. Go ahead, give yourself permission. Catch spring fever!
