Who doesn’t love the feeling of renewal and fresh starts? A favourite quote from the Buddha is: “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”
But I think Spring offers us a special opportunity for renewal. We are coming out of a season of darker days, more time spent indoors, a sleepier season. We are ready for change, for something new, relief from the heaviness of winter.
At this time of year we look forward not only to the energy of Spring but to summer and it’s warmth. It seems all living things rise to the call of Spring.
I knew Spring was on the way when I started bringing paintings in from my studio and trying them out in different rooms. Spring emits an energy of renewal that can feel inspiring and contagious. The quality of light changes and everything in the natural world answers the call by rising up out of hibernation mode. The brilliant chartreuse green of spring – is there a colour more uplifting?
There are so many things we can do to encourage this energy of renewal in ourselves and our living spaces. It’s a way to connect ourselves to the age old rhythms of the natural world, to live in harmony with it, to find joy in simple things..
Here’s a few simple things you can do to easily welcome Spring:
Rearrange things in the house. An old feng shui trick is to move 27 things around to get the energy moving and get unstuck. Move your artwork around, buy small plants and tiny Ikea pots and lanterns. There is a simple pleasure in creating little vignettes, little spots of uplifting brightness and beauty around the house.
Bring some branches in from outside. This is even better than store bought flowers. Here on the west coast the salmon berries are just unfurling their brilliant leaves. Cherry blossoms, curly willow, flowering quince. It might be all about the pussy willows in your part of the world. The natural world has a strong and vital power to uplift our spirits.
Wash the windows! I know, I know, maybe you don’t love the actual washing but things are just a little clearer and brighter once a winter’s worth of dust is gone. It’s like your vision just went from 20/20 to 20/40. It’s free and mostly painless!
Declutter! There’s a reason we’re hearing so much about decluttering these days. This simple act can help us lighten up, let go and experience our own generosity. Create simplicity in your living space by paring down. You don’t have to do your whole house. Make it easy and simple. Find a box and put one giveaway item in it everyday for a month.
Our living spaces affect us deeply whether we notice it or not. Spring is that perfect time to enliven and refresh our indoor space. We haven’t quite moved into the outdoor spaces of summer but we are ready for more light and freshness around us.
Spring Eats: Grilled Asparagus With Poached Egg http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/eggs-recipes/grilled-asparagus-poached-egg-on-toast/
Spring Reads: Learn something new about gardening http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/biodynamic-agriculture1.htm
Spring Thing To Make: for your branches & bouquets 🙂 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/547257792206133727/
Spring Moves For Your Body: try this awesome free online yoga: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene
And Always A Quote: “Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke
