Humans can hibernate, too

So you think only certain animals and plants hibernate? Think again. Although humans take needed breaks from everyday routines to rest awhile, it's different from that of other species. However, when it's planned, rather than a natural part of the makeup of the species, it's a calculated venture -- one that's intended to give you pleasure or rest. Yes, we, mortal human beings, need to hibernate sometimes, too.

People usually hibernate out of necessity -- at least to begin with. Some animals and plants withdraw as a part of their life-cycle. Although you can choose to depart from society and your routine chores at will, it's normally a decision you make.

We usually do not know what to do when we're faced with having to stay inside and find something to do. This is because hibernation is not a part of our nature as it is with certain other habitats. We're unable to perform what we feel we should be achieving or want to accomplish. You're forced to go inside against your will, and you fight against it. One feels he's missing out on what he needs to accomplish. You can even become angry and nervous -- with this unwelcome time of seemingly nothingness.

I experienced a recent extended Christmas vacation during which I entertained a large crowd of people. This was a longer-than-usual Christmas holiday season. School was dismissed longer than usual, then when the time came when all the kids were supposed to resume their education, the weather became impossible. Many parents were livid and, although children refused to admit it, they were at a loss as to know what to do with themselves. The dilemma -- and it was a dilemma for me as well -- affected everybody who experienced that winter blizzard, piled on top of a long vacation.

"Whew," I thought to myself, "What did I do to deserve this?"

I, too, was forced to stay inside and find something to do to fill my time. It was truly a withdrawing from my daily world interests and jobs. As I fretted and stewed, I suddenly realized that even though this interruption, out of necessity, required absence from my normal activity; it was a good thing. I was stationed within my home with all the members of my family for days and nights when everybody had to be together, and yes, communicate. We mixed hot chocolate and served and drank the delicious, rich, smooth, mellow-tasting, chocolaty mixture. It had been awhile since that had happened, but it was nice.

The fireplace wood crackled as the logs burned and sputtered inside the encampment of bricks and mortar. Then we dug out the Monopoly game and spent extended hours at buying, selling and renting make-believe property. Then we decided to try our hand at playing cards. I had always wanted to learn how to play different card games. We even taught the 11-year-old relative who lives with us. I almost thanked God for the timeout because the break enticed me to make use of my time in a way that was unfamiliar.

Jesus often urged people to keep their eyes focused on what was important, REALLY important in his eyes. He urged Martha to cease being so concerned about preparing a meal and concentrate on his teachings, as her sister, Mary did (Luke 10:38-42).

Jesus wanted to come apart from the crowds when he was preaching to rest awhile, as is written in Matthew 14:22-23. He knew He could not keep up His hectic pace without having the time to pray and wind down. We are the same way. You sometimes must do what you have to do when there's no other choice. Theodore Roosevelt said, "Do what you can with what you have, with where you are."

I took those words to heart during my time of seclusion from the outside world, and I would hope I shall welcome my next and see it as an opportunity rather than a detriment.

Ellen Shuck holds degrees in psychology, religious education and spiritual direction and provides spiritual direction to people at her office.