Many years ago, when I was in Wawa, Ontario, someone told me, "Wawa has four seasons; before winter, real winter, cold winter and after winter." It is real winter now. Because I had such a cold winter experience there, and it is the first winter for me in Saskatchewan, I am a little bit excited about what this winter will be like. Some of our snow birds have already migrated south in the US in order to keep themselves warm. We hope that they have a good time there and look forward to meeting them in good shape again next spring. For us, those who have to spend this winter in Saskatchewan, we need to do something during this long winter time. The UC Chimes would like to share one simple idea with you so that we all may spend a healthy and joyous time in this winter.
Regardless who, what and where people are, health care has become the prime concern in their life. Especially in Canada, human freedoms and rights are guaranteed and we do not worry about war with other country or regional conflict as well. Truly we Canadians are living in one of best countries with the benefits of excellent social welfare and health care systems. Personally, I am so proud of becoming a Canadian citizen. But an interesting point is that physically or mentally, we Canadians are not much better than other people of the world who are living in far worse living conditions than we. For example, according to 2012 statistics, the number one happiest people in the world live in Costa Rica, and among OECD nations, Demark was the number one and Canada was 9th. So we Canadians need to do more and should try to become more joyful people.
Winter, especially a long real cold winter, is the best time to do mental exercise. Happiness, dignity and quality of each one's life are not only dependent on physical health care but also rely on mental and spiritual care. Still, how to develop and exercise our mental, spiritual and dormant parts of our body are very underdeveloped fields. According to Gage Canadian Dictionary, "exercise means activity to train or develop the body or keep it healthy." So winter is a very good time to exercise our brain and internal organs while we are staying inside our cosy homes. If you keep on training your brain through thinking a lot, then you may not need worry too much about dementia or Alzheimer's disease. If you are keeping on singing joyful songs and praising hymns loudly, then your internal organs, especially lungs, stomach and bowels, will be in good condition. God wants us to do what we can do, and then God will do what we cannot do when we ask for God's help.
Albert Einstein wondered, "Why is there something rather than nothing?" It is an excellent question for developing and activating our brain. Why is there something is going on? Why are you and I here? Why is there God? This ontological (always being, existence) question is a good beginning step for your brain exercise. If there is something, then it has meaning and purpose of being (existence). This axiological (value, meaning) statement is following up. Or you can just start to think about with whatever question you have and keep on thinking on it until you find out your own answer or reach some conclusion. Then this Saskatchewan winter will not be that long. When spring arrives, we will have become much more mature and wiser people. With all this mental and spiritual exercise, you may miss the winter. That is also a way of how you and I can become who we should be. It is never too late to become who you should be. Who knows that is what the real winter may mean for you?
