Rethinking Our Standards

In these days following the Spring Equinox as

• Jews have celebrated Purim and begin to prepare for Passover, 
• Pagans have just celebrated Ostara, 
• people of Persian descent have celebrated Nowruz, 
• thousands have traveled to the pre-hispanic Mayan pyramids in Mexico,
  
   and 
• Christians are preparing for Easter, 

we are reminded once again of the need to prune overgrowth and get the garden ready. It's time to turn over a new leaf. 

New growth requires direction and thoughtful cultivation. Without a careful gardener, the precious incoming energy of the sun is wasted. 

As we engage in purification and repentance, we are wise to refine our standards. Harvests from prior seasons may not have fulfilled our quotas. 

Even if we are satisfied with our lives, now is a good time to anticipate future needs. 

Get a piece of paper and make a gardener's list: seeds, plants, tools, boxes, soil and anything else you need for your 2017 garden. And for the garden of your life, review these items:

• Physical Health (diet, physical activity, sleep, illness and injury prevention/recovery)
• Mental Health (stress levels and emotional, psychological and social wellbeing)
• Spiritual Health ("not material in nature," "ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that have arisen in the mind and conscience of human beings, particularly ennobling ideas," "something that has to arise within people and communities in keeping with their cultural and social patterns" (World Health Organization, Resolution WHA 31.13, 37th World Health Assembly). 
• Personal Goals 
• Professional Goals

Choose what you want to cultivate. Spend your time and energy working towards your goals and bolstering your overall health. Eliminate corrosive relationship dynamics. Turn away from harmful influences. Keep your focus on renewal and don't dwell on previous failures. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things. Phillipians 4:8, Berean Study Bible