My high school World History teacher was inspirational. Even now, I can hear his voice as he challenged us to think differently about the world as we know it. He so loved teaching about the many wars that have plagued the world since the beginning of time- and how they have left their mark on us today. Not that he was a doom and gloom man- quite the contrary. But he truly loved teaching and opening our eyes to the underlying factors that connect every aspect of humanity.
I’ll admit some of lessons are a little fuzzy now. I can’t readily recall some of the dates that I used to be able to rattle off. But I do remember him teaching about the Ides of March. On this day in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was on his way to the Theater of Pompey. While traveling, he met a seer, who foretold that harm would not come to Caesar later than the Ides of March. Caesar casually remarked, “Well, today is March 15th (the Ides of March).” The seer replied, “Well the Ides of March have come, but they have not gone.” Caesar was assassinated that day. I’ll leave out the gruesome details.
In the years since 10th grade, I’ve noticed a very consistent pattern of life during March. For some reason, as the earth moves from a season of hibernation and decay into an active season of growth and beauty, everything seems to be off balance and “helter-skelter.” People are a little more sensitive, crankier, and even depressed. The animal kingdom is “twitterpated” as they mate and prepare their families for the new year (although I’m not exactly sure just how maternal snakes are). Tax season causes everyone to take a closer look as their finances- for the good and the bad. Relationships experience accompanying tensions that suddenly pop open as everything else around us automatically seems to naturally adjust. There is a definite shift in energy and attitude. And as things charge for the warmth and fun that accompanies summer, things in the process can get you down!
This year, as the Ides of March approaches and we officially move from winter into spring, pay attention to the small things that can keep you from getting down so you can enjoy the new opportunities that are coming your way! Plan now how you can take care of yourself with small things- a fun book to read from the library, a bubble bath, going to see a movie, taking a walk outside- so you can come through this season of change with ease!