Van Beek: Spring forward means time for fun
As I walk around town, there are visible signs of joy related to this wonderful time of year. Spring serves as a transition between extremes. Much as in life, we learn to enjoy the frosty cold by creating winter adventures; we do the same in the blaze of summer.
Yet, it is springtime that allows us to take a deep breath of relaxation as we focus on new beginnings. Warm breezes, with the changing colors of the mountains, from snow white to warm browns to bright floral blooms. It is one of the most eagerly awaited seasons of the year. We can’t help but smile at the first chirps of returning birds in our yards.
Whether you’re a shop owner who has worked hard all winter serving our community and its annual guests, or a student who has spent the last six months studying while oftentimes working … this time is for you! We call it spring break.
First, we begin with the gift of added sunshine. The vernal equinox aligns the sun with the equator on March 20. Daylight becomes increasingly longer, with the bonus of daylight saving time extending sunshine even further into the evening. More time for fun!
Aside from the obvious benefits extended days provide, research indicates that added sunlight improves mental health. Our physical health also improves with warmer weather making outdoor excursions much more enjoyable. Increased activity, along with the scents of fresh greenery and the beauty of its newness, reminds us of hopeful beginnings. Farmers’ markets return, music and film festivals emerge, with picnics and water activities becoming the focus of fun weekends. Overall, springtime is one of the happiest times of the year.
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In addition to increased activities, spring is also a time for spiritual connection and for many, a renewal of life. Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and other religious traditions have similarities involving a measure of gratitude, reflection, sacrifice/fasting, spiritual connection, and new beginnings. Whether by tradition or religion, springtime offers a measure of peace, calm, hope, and beauty.
Nature provides a physical representation of this transition, with the growth of new flowers, fruits, and vegetables. The awakening of hibernating wildlife (proceed in the backcountry with caution), the return of migrating birds, and the birth of nature’s wonders, from butterflies to bear cubs, we are always in awe of the joys this time of year delivers. It sparks an excitement that fills the air with anticipation.
With this sense of renewal, we are often prompted to get rid of the old to make room for the new. It begins with a ritual known as spring cleaning. For some, it’s like Christmas as we discover new things we thought were lost forever. For others, it provides more space for shopping.
With all, it allows us a chance to give away things we once treasured but have outgrown, and through donations, can share that joy with others. Trips to thrift shops give useful items their own chance at renewal, brightening the lives of those who will appreciate its unique utility.
With all of this merriment, I must caution that as we leave our homes in pursuit of fun and adventure, we remember to bring our brains. Party time can be fun, yet as with anything else, we must be cautious not to overdo it.
The warmer weather prompts outdoor activities that often include BBQs, parties, and other gatherings, which often contain adult beverages as part of the merriment. Some have other substances on the day’s menu that can impede perception and judgment. Just as with every other season, use legal substances in moderation and within safe environments. Stay away from illicit drugs, remembering also that they can be laced with deadly Fentanyl.
If you are beginning to feel a bit “buzzed”, stay in place, and don’t drive. Driving impaired can cause you a lifetime of consequences, not to mention the potential for a critical incident. Nothing spoils a good time like spending spring break in jail!
All of that said, this is an amazing time of year. Enjoy every minute. Please know that if you get into any danger or discover that a simple idea has gone out of control, just call, and we will be there. If you are engaging in something you shouldn’t, we’ll sort that out afterward but don’t hesitate and endanger your life, it’s not worth it. We care about you!
James van Beek is the Eagle County sheriff. You can reach him at james.vanbeek@eaglecounty.us.
