Robins Only Live in Springtime

It has begun.

Every year, I hear all kinds of odd statements, old wives’ tales and outright fallacies casually and predictably pronounced by news anchors, weathermen, and marketers (via TV commercials).

It seems most of them have to do with animals, holidays and seasons. Many of them are flat-out ridiculous. Yet people perpetuate them with glee.

It began early this year during a warm stretch of weather, when my local weatherman showed a viewer photo of a robin and wondered aloud if spring was here. This one gets me every year. I understand that the robin has long been a symbol of spring and that robins migrate and therefore might be a less common sight around here in the winter. But I have seen robins year-round, including summer, fall and winter. This cliché is tired. Let it rest.

Last year, I actually heard a prominent and respected local news anchor say that Independence Day was the day we remember our veterans (living and otherwise) and what they’ve done for our country. Um, no. That would be Memorial Day and/or Veterans Day. On Independence Day, the U.S. celebrates its independence from Great Britain.

Later this year, we’ll be hearing about the dog days of summer. The dog days, contrary to what you will be lead to believe, have nothing to do with canines lying around lazily in the heat. They have to do with the Dog Star’s position in space.

Here’s one that’s actually dangerous: If you watch enough TV and movies, you’ll learn that cats drink milk and play with yarn. In fact, if you give your cat milk, it will likely have diarrhea. And if you give it yarn or anything linear to play with, it may swallow it and develop life-threatening intestinal blockages.

Think about the clichés you hear and don’t take them all for gospel truth.

Rest

This New Year’s Day, as you know, was both a holiday and a Sunday. Traditionally, holidays and Sundays were not only days off from work, but also generally days of rest.

It used to be (or so I’m told) that nothing was open on Sundays or holidays except churches and the odd donut shop. You couldn’t just step out and shop for new clothes or TVs or pick up a few necessities on Christmas. Lots of people got these days off, except for police officers and firefighters, doctors and nurses. These days, though, everything is open on weekends and holidays and it’s business as usual. More people have to work.

For some, working includes being tied to a computer or smartphone. You may technically have the day off of work, but you’re still mentally engaged in your job by checking your email when you’re not there.

Whether you’re addicted to technology, or you have a heightened sense of responsibility or you’re a workaholic, you need to rest. It helps recharge your brain cells and makes you more productive when you return to work. It helps keep you well, both physically and mentally. We all work hard. But shouldn’t we feel some responsibility to ourselves and take a day of rest every week?

This New Year’s Day, I spent the day unplugged. For me, this meant no checking my email, no checking my Twitter feed or Tweeting, no internet surfing, no blogging and no worrying that I should be doing any of that.

How did you start off your year? I hope you got some rest!