And so, like an awakening groggy bear, we hobble out of winter’s stupor into an amazing array of light and opportunity. Now is the time to take action in our life, and we must decide how, if at all. At this decisive moment, two types of people usually emerge that resemble two types of bears—dumpster bears and wild bears.
Dumpster Bears
Dumpster bears are survivors. In most communities near bear populations, residents attempt to keep food and garbage inaccessible to the “dumpster-diving” wildlife. Otherwise, the bears that subsist on scraps will continue along the path of least resistance and become dependent on humans and leftovers for food. Although these bears may be surviving by not starving, they are also losing their ability to find food in the wild. Like the dumpster bears, some people may be surviving on whatever opportunity comes along, with enough to eat and pay the bills. Although they have enough to survive, they are also diminishing their creative abilities to thrive. For clarification in this analogy, dumpster bear people are not people who have encountered unfortunate life circumstances.
Wild Bears
In contrast, wild bears thrive in the wild and live interdependently with nature, foraging for their own food. People who resemble wild bears take action so they do not have to just get by or survive. Instead, they thrive by creating their own way, adapting, and finding ways to remain independent. This independence does not mean wild bear people do not interact or collaborate with others. Rather, they create a life of abundance to empower others and share with those in less fortunate circumstances.
Timing
Spring urges us to take action. Some people will misinterpret action to mean aggression and argue that things just “work out the way they are supposed to.” This spiritual axiom can be misleading, though. Sometimes events do not transpire the way we want initially, yet later we recognize something better unfolded for us. This achievement, however, does require some effort toward what we say we want.
For instance, imagine you are in a kayak on a river with a strong current heading toward a water fall. Obviously, you acted to put the kayak in this particular river. If you just plunk yourself in the kayak in the river and then let the current take you on its path, without further action, things will work out as they are supposed to. You may see beautiful scenery and enjoy “going with the flow.” The unexpected vistas and adventures are part of the journey. You may also end up in this stronger current heading to the waterfall. If you do not even put your oars in the water and paddle your way out, then again, things will turn out the way they are supposed to. This is not necessarily the way things had to turn out, though.
By letting things “work out,” we understand all possible actions and then choose accordingly. After acting, the rest just unfolds. If we do nothing, we are waiting for life’s lottery without even acquiring a ticket to be in the game. This does not, however, diminish patience and faith. As humans, our very essence bestows us with the gift of creativity, which must be tempered with the constants of nature. Nevertheless, our creativity comes packaged with the wisdom to discriminate when to let the river flow rather than push it. May the fire of spring course through your veins and awaken the wild bear within you.
