Spring Wonder
Is it spring where you are?
We have had some teaser days but nothing to consistently feel like spring weather even though the calendar officially says it so. But we do see more outdoor activities: more and more folks are out walking or jogging; children are riding bicycles, scooters and skateboards. Every day the daffodils grow a little taller or open a little wider depending upon their sun placement and every time I walk the dog, I’ll see yet another potted tulip placed on someone’s front steps.
It reminds me that we all long to be outside and in nature- in whatever form that might take. We all know or have heard that being out doors is good for our physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual health. I thought it is interesting that even “The American Bar Association, the U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), and the Association for the Prevention of Torture all recommend a minimum of one hour outdoors daily, weather permitting, as part of minimum humane standards for detention and incarceration.” Being outdoors is a criteria of humane standards.
For children, being outdoors and engaging in physical activity are inextricably linked. According to the World Health Organization, children need between one to three hours of outdoor play a day. It can be in the form of smaller increments but the point is that they need to be outside and playing- preferably free form and a non-organized form of play. Organized sports are wonderful but there is something intrinsic and soul-satisfying if one gets to play and explore the natural world unencumbered with any type of agenda. It provides wonder.
Recently the local radio station was speaking to an author, Thor Hanson about his new book, Close to Home. In it, he talks about retraining our senses to reveal hidden natural wonders- many in our own backyards. If we slow down and open our eyes, we will see the beauty and wonder of the world, right at our fingertips.
It made me think about my relationship with being outdoors. I love being outside. Although, when the weather is damp, cold or rainy, I may not be so anxious to be there. Yet, I am really trying to practice the adage, “It’s not bad weather. I am just inappropriately dressed.” and to try and be comfortable by appropriate dress in whatever the climate situation may be. There are some days when I have been holed up in my office that I start to feel just a little bit claustrophobic. I go outside, see the wide expanse of the sky and the sunlight on the water and feel so much better. In a strange and paradoxical way, the vastness of the world around me puts my worries and issues into perspective: I am not the only thing in the world, yet I have the blessing to be part of this beautiful existence.
Still, in the spring, I get anxious for all that I need to do, especially outdoors. Instead of enjoying the gardening and being in awe of new life and creation, I become very dogmatic in having to do certain actions. I forget to slow down and observe.
Year ago, we watched a series called: For the Life of the World: Letters to the Exile. My husband had seen it first through a men’s retreat. There are seven episodes- Exile, Love, Creative Service, Order, Wisdom, Wonder and Church- all to help one gain insight into being in the world but not of it. What always struck my husband was when the men reviewed their time and what were some take-aways and likes, almost all felt that the episode on wonder was so important and what was lacking in their lives.
I can relate.
What about you? Do you have “play dates” in your calendar? What can you do this spring to get outside more? How can you bring more wonder into your life?
What I like about being outdoors is that, if we keep our eyes open, we will see wonder all around us. As Mr. Hanson describes in his book, one doesn’t have to travel very far to see fantastic and interesting things in nature. We just need to get outside and “play”.
Season of Hope
A garden of hope: That brown, nondescript bulb planted in the fall becomes this glorious riot of color.
For a good portion of the United States, spring has sprung. While I am waiting for a little bit warmer nights to put out my spring plants, the air and light during the day is definitely different from the winter’s. The outside temperatures might be similar to a couple of weeks ago, yet the air seems warmer.
This week is Holy Week for those celebrating Easter and Passover for my Jewish friends. It is a time of remembrance and hope. As I have been thinking of the events of both Holy Week and Passover, I imagine what a rollercoaster of emotions during that time for those who witnessed it.
I think of the Israelites and how scared and perplexed they must have been during the plagues and with the final plague: applying blood over their doorways so the angel of death would “passover” the household and spare the inhabitants. They needed to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice and travel to only God knew where. Their only experience with God was through oral stories of the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. They would have heard of the stories of Joseph, his brothers and their moving to Egypt. At that time, there was no law or guidelines of a belief system. It was down to individual trust and faith.
For those followers of Jesus, what a week for them: to see their leader triumphantly riding a donkey on Sunday hailed as a King, by mid-week having the sentiment turn with Him being treated worse than a criminal and receiving the worst possible death-crucifixion. Yet by the following Sunday- the most life-altering event happened in history. No more would humans have to be separated from God. The creation is restored back to the Creator. For those followers of Christ, it came down to trust and faith too.
The ups and downs of emotions and experiences. But after all, isn’t that life? Don’t we all have weeks or seasons of life like that? We can experience the most heart-wrenching sorrow and the most profound joy at the same time. I know that I have. On one hand there is hope for a new day and excitement over dawning possibilities but on the other, there is the loss of what might have been, the people we mourn and miss, the dreams put on hold or ended.
Many of whom I know and love are having tough times: anxiety, profound grief, hurting, despair, major concerns, brokenness, or health issues, to name a few.
In our family we have suffered a recent loss. A week that started out with promise has become profoundly sad. Holy Week and Passover remind me of God’s provision and hope for the future even and most especially, during a time of loss. Both people groups in Old and New Testament experienced loss: for the Israelites, loss of their known home and for the Christ followers the loss of their leader. While their experiences and journeys were hard, God provided for them and led them to a place of joy: for the Israelites the promised land and for Christ’s followers, His resurrection.
While questions abound, “Why God? Why do people have to suffer?” it comes down to trust and faith. Trusting that God, the creator, knows the best for His creation and faith that He will act on that best for those we love. Even though life is a roller coaster, the end is the ultimate Promised Land- communion, community and life with the Creator of all things.
What about you? Have your ever experienced joy and grief in a short amount of time? How did you respond?
For me it is comforting to know that my human experience is not unusual- I am not alone in what life throws my way. Nor are you. For me, this season of spring is a season of hope- while I may not understand sorrows and difficulties, I have hope and faith in the One who does understand. Happy Easter.
Spring Favorites
Seen on a recent morning walk. A cherry tree in all its spring time glory…
I love spring. I love the change in the sunlight in the morning. I love the emergence of color through the variety of bulbs and buds. I love the endless possibilities that each day brings. And I love that spring is only here for three months because as much as I look forward to spring, I also look forward to summer when that time arises.
Spring seems to be the time of year for online posts of people sharing their spring favorites: clothing, trips, garden flowers, interior decor, exterior paint colors, meals, outdoor projects, etc. Google “spring favorites” and you will find over 269 Million results. You name it and someone, somewhere on-line has listed the top five or ten or three items in any category. What I like about those lists are that they are the epitome of spring: each list has possibilities and challenges. In essence, five or ten or three items of hope.
What would your spring favorite list look like? Would you have many or a few items? Are there things that bring a smile to your face? Items that only emerge in the spring and are short-lived? Does it include favorite things to do or things that you have always wanted to do in the spring? Is there a theme running through your listed items?
Here is my partial spring favorite list (I could go on and on…) As I started writing items down, I realized that most of my favorite things take place outdoors and in nature. There is something about the cycle of nature and its effects on us and our psyche especially after being “cooped up” inside over the cold winter months, that draws me outside this time of year.
Sighting Buttercups- One of my favorite flowers. Forgotten weeds along the highways and by-ways. I have a soft spot in my heart for the “underdog” even in the plant world.
Emerging bright green clumpy “onion” grass- No one wants a lawn of these clumps and eventually they will be physically removed with a mower or chemically destroyed. But at first, they have their day because they are the first to emerge, grow and produce any type of verdant green.
Calling birds- The cacophony of calling birds sound like long lost friends catching up over spring break. What I especially find delightful- the birds may be chirping it up, multiples of them on branches on the hedges by the sidewalk, yet as soon as I walk by, the chirps stop dramatically as if a major bird conductor cued them with his baton. Then as soon as I walk a safe distance past, the chirping continues as before like an orchestrated rest in a symphony of bird song.
Anticipating a new outdoor tennis season- Each year I think, “This is the one. This is the season when I will improve my serve, watch the ball at all times, and improve my game.” ( In reality, by the end of the season I will have left “room for improvement” for next season…)
Mulching the garden beds: There is satisfaction in spreading mulch among the garden beds. Mulch covers a multitude of gardening “sins”. Mulch is the finishing touch on beds: it sets off the plants and defines the edge of the garden and lawn. There is something aesthetically pleasing to see the deep brown of piled mulch around emerging clumps of flowers and shrubs. Even the vinegary smell of the mulch reminds me of spring and gardening possibilities.
Dining al fresco - Usually the first night after the first warm day of washing and scrubbing the porch and deck furniture. It is with a collective, “ahhh…” that we sit down to dine.
Swarming gnats- A walk to the outside shed and I am in the middle of swarming black dots. One day they are not around and then the next, Voila- they are there. Makes me wonder where they have been these last four months? How did they know that, at this moment, they need to emerge and begin their reign of terror? I may complain about the swarms in a couple of weeks, but for now they are a great reminder of warmer weather to come.
What about you? What’s on your list?
W@TW: Hope Blooms
We have had a span of cloudy, rainy and generally grey days this last week. While the weather may suit my mood it certainly does nothing for helping me improve it.
Greening just beginning...
But "physician heal thyself". I took my own advice: get moving, get out in nature and witness something beyond myself. I took a run and on my returning into the house I glanced at our front garden. We have a little garden along the front sidewalk that contains hydrangeas and roses. I peeked at the hydrangeas and some green shoots were emerging! Every year I am amazed at the reemergence of life on dormant branches. Life and growth never ceases to amaze me.
On a recent dog walk, I found a broken off brown and gnarly branch in the middle of the sidewalk. It contained a fair amount of buds and I wondered if I could force them open (like you can do with pussy willow and forsythia) so I cut the branches up into a "bouquet". This morning I noticed the flowers were beginning to emerge! The thought that this found broken and discarded branch could produce something beautiful inspires me. It reminds me that things I think are broken may be potential for something else that has yet to be pursued. The "broken" item might just need a different environment to thrive.
What these early signs of spring remind me is that:
- Life goes on regardless of how we feel.
- There is potential even in those things that seem broken and used up.
- There is hope in this world.
- God loves to show us little things to remind us that He cares about all things in our lives- big and small.
- Bleakness doesn't have to be a constant companion.
- When feeling blue, try and observe one thing in nature.
What about you? What gives you hope? What have you witnessed lately in the natural world around you? Have you ever tried forcing the blooms of pussy willow or forsythia? Is there a situation in your life that seems broken? Is it only dormant or static and needs a different environment?
I believe God gave us the natural world for many reasons. One being that it is a visual reminder of His provision and goodness and care.
Heartening Hyacinths
The other day I was taking a walk and a enticing scent wafted my way. Coming from a season of wintry smells, my memory quickly identified it as hyacinths. Every spring my scent memory gets awakened after a dormant winter. I looked around and didn't see any hyacinths nearby. It turned out they were peeking through in a small garden located a couple of homes away.
Amazing how flowers can send their scents out into the atmosphere. All in the sake for capturing pollinators. The amazing thing is how even the smallest of plants or undeveloped plant can still capture its essence. I had to trim our lilac bush and was amazed that the immature blossoms had a lilac scent.
It only takes a small amount and we can smell it.
Conversely, if any of you have ever inadvertently stepped in dog poop you know that it only takes a minuscule amount to stink.
Smells, good and bad linger.
It brought to mind how even the smallest comments can make a difference.
I think of how random comments from family, friends, teachers, co-workers or bosses become cemented in our brains. "You're too smart to be a nurse. We know you are not a writer, honey. With your size, you shouldn't wear ruffles. What do you know about gardening? Math is not your thing."
The comments might be off-the-cuff, unintentional yet they can linger for the rest of our lives. I think of those people who never attempt to try something new because years ago someone told them they couldn't. Or those who are forever struggling with identity and self worth due to someone's careless remark.
Conversely, I think of the small encouraging words people say. "You're the best suited for that job. That color looks great on you. What a great listener. You have a sterling character. He can handle the challenge."
Small, spontaneous quips that change our outlook. Like the wafting fragrance from springtime flowers, the comments lift our spirits, put a spring in our step and spread joy. It is sometimes those small comments that encourages a person to try something new or look at life in a different light.
It doesn't take any more effort to say nice things over harmful ones. One can equally let encouragement flow off one's tongue. Wouldn't it be more pleasant to be surrounded by an atmosphere of attractive scents rather than odiferous ones?
What about you? Have you ever experienced a cutting remark? Do you still remember it? Do you have an encouraging comment tucked into your soul? Did someone ever give you a compliment or make a casual remark that has changed your life? What can you say today that will encourage another person? How can you enhance the atmosphere with your pleasantries?
There are enough unpleasant smells in this world. Choose today to be part of the pleasantries. You just never know how far it will go.
Learn Anything Lately?
My poor daffodils hanging on during the cold weather.
What did you learn in 2016? Life lessons, an academic subject, a life skill? What knowledge, information or skill are you currently pursuing?
This is the time of year when I think we all could use a boost both physically and mentally. Here in the mid-Atlantic all of our blooming daffodils and cherry trees are under a blanket of snow and ice. The winds have been fierce and the temperature cold. After a relatively mild winter it is hard to believe that now we are getting an arctic blast three days before the arrival of spring.
I am ready to shake off the snow, ice and winter debris and get ready for new growth.
I am ready to learn something new.
I am ready to physically and mentally move- to get my sluggish winter body out and about as well as firing up my hibernating brain cells.
The thing about learning is that it is never too late. I know a woman who started taking piano lessons in her nineties. She had always wanted to do so and never had the opportunity. So, her family purchased a keyboard for her to use in her retirement apartment and a piano teacher comes and gives her lessons every Saturday.
There is a wonderful book, Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman by the late Alice Steinbach. Ms. Steinbach traveled to various places in the world taking lessons and courses on specific topics: French cooking in Paris, Border Collie training in Scotland, Japanese arts in Kyoto to name a few. Most of us will never have the resources nor the time as Ms. Steinbach did but we can be inspired by her openness and curiosity.
What about you? What is something you have always wanted to learn? Piano lessons? Art classes? Fixing a complicated meal? Maybe a trip to Paris is not in the cards right now, but could you try fixing a French meal a la Julia Child?
My husband and I are planning to attend a class at the CSA farm where we purchase our meat. They will be demonstrating how to cut up a whole chicken. We get whole roasters through them but have never done anything with the chickens except, well, roast them whole. I have looked at various cook books on the cutting up of a chicken but I need the hands-on visual instruction.
I am looking forward to it.
Doesn't matter what the subject or activity might be, once we experience and learn something new, we have shifted our brain and muscle usage. The adage, use it or lose it, applies to both our brain neurons and our muscle cells. When we challenge ourselves with having to use our brain in new experiences, we improve our brain neurons and increase the synapses which send and receive information. Our physical challenges increase our muscle fibers which in turn produce stronger and leaner muscles as well as improvement in all the cardiac, immunity, endocrinological aspects of exercise.
Learning enhances our confidence, our mood, and our outlook on life. It improves our day.
It is the spring that is awaiting to be released.
Happy Spring Fling
Here's my little spring fling that makes me smile- the pleasant face of pansies to greet me every time I come home.
Fling, (noun): "A short period of enjoyment or wild behavior." Also can be called a spree.
To use the term spring fling is to evoke the wild "Animal House" days of spring break, the student led carnival of University of Arizona or adults of a certain age feeling a reprieve of responsibility. It conjures up irresponsibility, out-of-control behavior, and giddiness.
I like the definition of a short period of enjoyment. I imagine spring fling as the flinging wide the shutters of winter and encountering the breeze and tender light of spring. There is much talk about spring cleaning- getting one's house in order. I also like to think of spring as a time to mentally clean out those things that weigh us down and keep us from the buoyancy of life's enjoyment: self-restraint and the fear of being foolish, staidness and the fear of being passionate about something, or inertia and the fear of change.
I think that a spring fling can be something to help prime the pump for beginning to enjoy one's life. Sometimes the little things can remind us that it is okay to be giddy about our life. Sometimes all we have are the little things that make us smile.
What can you do this spring to practice short periods of enjoyment? Here are some of my ideas:
- Eat lunch outside on a park bench, on a country hillside or on some dusted off garden furniture
- Cut or purchase a bouquet of daffodils or tulips for your desk
- Cut or purchase some forsythia or pussy willow branches, place in water in a vase on your hearth and watch the blossoms pop forth
- Check out the National Cherry Blossom Festival (if you live nearby Washington DC. If not- take a try-to-locate the blossoming cherry, dogwood, apple trees walk in your neighborhood)
- Go fly a kite
- Swing on swings at a park. Enjoy the wind on your face as you pump back and forth.
- Ride your bike on an errand. Enjoy the exercise, the zero-carbon transport and the freedom of travel without the worry of traffic and parking.
- Check out a new- for- you- genre of music (e.g. jazz, country, indie rock, classical) through Spotify or Pandora
- Pull out your old games and teach a younger generation the joy of jacks, cards, dominoes, Uno, Sorry, hopscotch or jumping rope.
- Take a neighborhood walk after dinner. Enjoy it solo, with your "Honey" or with a neighbor you'd like to get to know.