By WIN Contributor: Dr. Matthew Bird, Chiropractor

The sun is finally shinning and the sounds of spring are getting louder. This is the time of inspirational visions and goals to be set. After a less than ideal winter with ups and downs in temperature and grey skies we can only hope that the Spring Equinox brings a favourable outlook to our near future.

So, as we look forward to warmer weather and clear blue skies, what are your goals to embrace the change of season?

Even though winter was less than ideal for both those that love winter and those that do not, how did you make it through?

I hope that positive mindsets prevailed, and you had a chance to embrace our northern climate. Yes, I’m one of those crazy people who loves the snow, but I definitely love the seasonal change as it brings on new outings and get togethers.

Change is one of those things that many of us have a hard time undergoing and I don’t just mean seasonal changes, as this time of year it’s pretty easy to look forward to warmer weather!

I am more curious to see if you can open your mind and look into your current paradigm of life. I know this isn’t that specific, but it is all too often that many of us have very rigid mindset on health, education or just plain old living.

Those that are stuck at the polar ends help drive debates to make us think but if you cannot see the other side, then you are missing half the story. Are you an extremist? If you react to a topic with anger or resentment then maybe it’s time to take a deep breath and listen to the other side.

There is a reason we have two ears and only one mouth. Sometimes we must listen and put our own judgments aside for a short while. This is something I believe we all struggle with as we justify something in our lives.

Inspiration is meant to inspire, not dictate a concrete value.

Cognitive dissonance is very much alive in all of us, but can we then eliminate cognitive biases and assess all sources of information to ease our discomforts. For those that claim the science is settled truly don’t understand science. We are constantly evolving and trying to better understand the world we live in, which means new information is always coming forth, we just have to be open to the new knowledge being presented, whatever that may be.

So, as we change from winter to spring, be open to the change and take big breaths before reacting as emotional and mental stress is very much a big part of our pain and suffering. So, just because someone makes claims that do not match your beliefs or opinions, don’t get upset. Discuss it and research it.

Life is short but it is way too much fun to be wasting it in endless debates because we are reluctant to think differently and open our minds!