Lets be honest – we live in a city that hibernates for a good portion of the year.  We stay indoors and consume copious amounts of Netflix, engage ruefully in watching our Oilers miss the playoffs again and gravitate towards inactivity all the while trying to stave off those proverbial winter blues.  How did that work out for you? Ready for spring?

I am firmly convinced that if we are to be people, families and individuals who live well and who give back to the neighborhoods in which we live that some new rhythms will be required.  We need to find ways and means to live better publicly out as contributors  and less privately in as consumers. Opportunities abound year round in our fair city for us to get out and engage life around us but this time of year provides exponentially more opportunities to do so.  There are public markets, festivals, food trucks, walking tours, bike paths, play grounds, public pools and great coffee shops just a short walk away.

Let me suggest that instead of viewing this coming season less in terms of being sandwiched between winter and … well … more winter that we see it as an opportunity to develop a sense of place and purpose. You and I can start by actually doing that thing or getting to that event that you have always wanted to but somehow the season slipped away on you. Why not make a list? If not an actual list then a mental one of the 5 or 6 things that you said you would do when the weather permits or when summer rolls around and actually get out and do it.

Better yet get out with friends or family or get out and make some new friends. Then take it a step further by looking for ways to get personally engaged. Volunteerism tends to recreate views about belonging, ownership and value as we see ourselves as being co-creators and co-contributors towards healthy civic life and great neighbourhoods.

Then let me suggest that when the snow flies again, sorry, that you continue with this new habit and learn to love this city and all that it offers year round and not just seasonally.

So lets get started shall we?

Tonight my wife and I are going to take one of those short walks up the street and get out and check out a brand new Public House that is adding a layer of value to the Public life of our neighborhood.  Perhaps we will see you there?

Til next time – Barry

 

“Few things are more pleasant than a village graced with a good church, a good priest and a good pub” ~ John Hillaby