Now, time for nourishing the spirit

In this time of vaccination and boosters, more events are happening than in 2020 or 2021, giving all the opportunity to find some inspiration even during this deep winter moment that was harder to come by last year. As we enter February, it’s a good opportunity to overcome cabin fever (which it can seem we’ve experienced over too many months of the past two years) by getting out, even if masked, and gathering once again.If that doesn’t do the trick, there are additional ways to increase the goodwill to all so necessary to enjoying the lengthening but still bitterly cold days of the year. You will have your own ideas, and this year we would really like to hear about them through letters on our opinion pages, but here are a couple of suggestions to get you on your way.

Take a look through Compass this week to see calendar listings, as well as briefs throughout the newspaper, to find things to do that will get you out of your cocoon. The Ski Jumps in Salisbury are coming up Feb. 11-13, and there will be accessory events happening that can help with easing the soul through this end of winter. There are also art exhibits and concerts, as well as movie openings. Attending any of these will go a long way toward gathering some good feelings for the rest of the season. And after all, the days are getting longer, the sun higher in the sky, so we should be halfway there.

One important thing to remember at this time of year, though, is that area nonprofit organizations have gone through another year without the large events that help fill their coffers annually.  These include not only the churches, food pantries and day care centers, but also the libraries, historical societies, fire companies and more. Many of them may just wish to break even, yet would benefit from greater support at this time of year, especially after a time of extended pandemic-limited activity.

Our plea to readers to support nonprofits will include, of course, this newly minted media nonprofit. The Lakeville Journal Foundation is now an approved nonprofit organization, and as noted in our ongoing advertisement of appeal for support, any donation to it will have tax benefits as allowed by law. So thank you to all our readers who include us in your annual giving. It means so much to all of us who are working to keep local journalism alive in the region.

Thinking about our neighbors who could use some help getting through the cold winter months, can help give us all some reasons to feel good about giving to worthy organizations.

If we find ways to help those in our communities who are struggling, and carry that sense of community into the months ahead, that spirit will mean even more and have longlasting effects for those around us, and for ourselves.