Welcome Spring - A Season of Embracing Change and Uncertainty
Welcome Spring!
The very essence of the seasons, and specifically Spring, involves Change, Evolution, Transformation. Whenever I think of Spring, I consider the buds forming on the trees, the bulbs sprouting out into daffodils and crocuses, the grass looking greener each day, birds chirping, and the signs that life is once again getting lighter, greener, and more fertile.
This Spring, however, feels different. While the natural world continues with its same transformation, it feels as though we, as humans, are in a time warp. For us,it feels as though the world is standing still. Here, in the Northeastern part of the USA, we are a little over a week into a state-wide lockdown, in which businesses are closed, schools are closed, churches and other places of worship are shut down, playgrounds have shut down in many parts of the country, and it feels like the entire world is closed. Nature reminds us that it is not. There is still the vast blue sky, the sun comes out, clouds fill up the sky, time passes by, then sun starts to slowly set, and the moon rises high into the sky. Birds are chirping outside, ants are crawling around us, and there's signs everywhere. While uncertainty seems to reign supreme, nature is going about with business as usual and nature is asking us to pay attention.
Nature is such a great reminder that even when storms come, the sun eventually comes out again. Storms come and go, and this too shall pass. So, virtual friends and family--- pay very close attention. Intentionally Pause. Be Present. Look Within Yourself. Slow Down. Soak it all in. Take some deep breaths in of this spring air. Go on a walk, sometimes twice a day. Enjoy eating meals with your family, if you're home with them during this time. Cook nourishing food together. Create artwork. Play board games. Do Yoga. Meditate. Journal and Reflect. Check in with family, friends and loved ones.
On this Mindful Monday, consider for a moment, all the ways taking this intentional pause can allow us to reimagine how our lives are being lived, how our hours are being spent, how our priorities are being ordered, how fast we are living our lives without actually paying attention to all the life around us?
