All Psyched Up: Easter

By Linda Hancock on April 19, 2025.

Things have changed quite a bit since I was a child. Easter used to be focused on church activities and the way that Christians viewed God as well as His son.

I remember how, in my youth, women would purchase a new bright hat and outfit to wear to the Sunday morning service as a sign of change and spring. Often the choir would have practiced lively hymns and songs that were filled with hope and promise.

The solemnity and grief of Good Friday were replaced with happy conversations shared over coffee or lunch by those in attendance after the formal time of worship.

We would have a special meal for family and friends which usually had a large ham as the table’s centrepiece. There would be scalloped potatoes, a vegetable, salad and, of course, at least one rich dessert.

Although churches tend to have similar celebrations at Easter as I described, there has been a real shift in the way that the population views Easter and its historical significance.

Geographic distance frequently separates family members from each other and the idea that we have a world that has changed from structured work hours to shifts that occur on a twenty-four basis is a huge barrier to fellowship. These factors have altered the fabric of society in so many ways and changed the way that families and groups are able to congregate.

Some people view Easter as merely a statutory holiday. Others see it as a transition from winter to spring. Teachers might change bulletin boards so that bright drawings replace the St. Patrick Day shamrocks. Stores display and sell lilies as well as bright bouquets that will be given as gifts or grace dining room tables. Bakeries add hot cross buns to their product line. Children often focus on the fictional rabbit who secretly brings more chocolate than they can or should eat in one sitting. This is usually also a time to lighten our wardrobes and spend more time outdoors.

Increased immigration and differing beliefs often point out the fact that Easter is indeed about a spiritual perspective that is not recognized or understood by everyone who we meet or know.

So how will you view this Easter and what will you do? Will you ignore the whole thing? Are you scheduled for work? Perhaps you will choose to invest in some of the Christian celebrations. Maybe you will purchase a lily, spend time in meditation or invite someone to share a coffee or meal with you.

Will you be talking with other people about your faith? You see, the true spirit of Easter is really about hope for the future. That should put a smile on your face.

You don’t have to be sophisticated or complex about this upcoming holiday. Just know in your heart that there is a very good reason to be positive in a world that can seem so chaotic at times.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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