A Bear Teaching as told by Dr. Brenda Restoule of First Peoples Wellness Circle

 
Brenda Restoule

When a bear goes into hibernation, they do it for the health of their community and themselves. In the winter, food is scarce. Hibernating allows other animals to have access to the limited resources. It slows the spread of disease and virus among other animals during a season when immune systems are lowered and energy is limited.

It is also a time of conserving health for the bear. It’s a time for reflection. It is a time that allows you to renew and undergo change, to honour your place in life and food cycles.

It is not a time for anxiety or fear. It is a time for hibernation. A bear can finally relax. All of the stress of finding food, territory and a mate disappear.

The bear believes that they have done enough and trust in themselves. They know this process is necessary, and they will come out the other side, renewed.

So, be the bear. Stay home. Rest. Know you are doing this for something much bigger than yourself. And have hope that we will all come out on the other side with renewed life and energy and faith in each other.