Report from the Front: Rebirth of the Spirit

April 10, 2004 -- The Greeks had a myth about the great goddess Demeter who brought bountiful harvests. Her daughter Persephone was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, and taken to the realm of the dead. As Demeter despaired, the crops failed and the Earth died. Hades finally agreed to let Persephone return to the land of the living for part of the year and each year her return brought the spring, a time of rebirth and renewal.

Many cultures celebrate such a season. One need not accept a mythology or religion to appreciate the periodic need to reflect on what's important in our lives, to refocus on all the potential that lays before us, to revitalize our drive to achieve our goals, and overall to refresh our soul. For many years Ayn Rand gave an annual speech in April at the Ford Hall Forum in Boston. She considered it a kind of Objectivist Easter. This was appropriate for Objectivism is the ultimate this-world philosophy, one which first and foremost focuses on life, on its possibilities and joys.

So at this time of season, let us all renew our commitment to ourselves and to the best within us, and as the flowers bloom anew, let our souls follow suit!

For an earlier op-ed on this topic, see my piece on "Spring is a time for personal renewal"