Hibernation.

That is one good thing about this world… There are always sure to be more springs.” — L.M. Montgomery

If you check up the meaning of the word ‘hibernation’ you will find that it is described as a period of time spent inactive and indoors. Another definition says that it is a condition of an animal or plant spending winter in a dormant state.

Well, it sure seems as though Nature has decided that it is time for us humans to take a leaf out of the books of animals and plants .

Funnily enough just as I was pondering  about this idea, I happened to see the tree in the picture in just such a state during one of my morning walks in the gardens of our apartments. A casual glance at it will give the viewer the appearance of a tree drying up but if you look closer, nature will reveal its secret; secrets we humans will do well to emulate. Tiny green shoots emerging at the bottom reflect the trees innate intelligence that has directed it to shed its old redundant leaves so that it can unfurl it fresh tender green ones in spring.

Friends, I know we are going through a terrible winter now- an unprecedented time in all our lives. This virus has left no one unaffected or without loss- the loss of freedom; the loss of security; the loss of companionship; the loss of a steady income; the loss of social interaction; the loss of meeting loved ones who lived  across the world and sadly for some the loss of life. But then let us think of this time as a time of hibernation where Nature has forced us to stay indoors and remain relatively dormant so that we can take stock of our situation and get to know ourselves better. In fact as humans we have an advantage over the animal and plant world. We can do some ‘spring cleaning’ while we are hibernating so that when spring comes as it is bound to, we may  emerge a better and more mature and compassionate human race .