Skip to content

Posts from the ‘Spring’ Category

Mar 12

2 Comments

Clearing Brush

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” – John Muir

We’ve had the taste of an early spring in Minnesota, sixty degree days in March. Last week while taking Lily for a walk, we went into the woods. We haven’t been up there in a while. The brush had been cleared and it looked so different, new. The light came through the trees with ease.

“Sadly, it's much easier to create a desert than a forest.” – James Lovelock

“Sadly, it’s much easier to create a desert than a forest.” – James Lovelock

I have been on vacation for the past week. Some time at home with the girls and a quick trip with family. Vacation has a way of clearing the brush. The dried sticks of urgency, multi-tasking and rushing are put aside long enough for a new perspective to enter.

And if take time each day to hang onto that new perspective and “schedule” in unscheduled time, we can keep the brush from building back up again. Clear the brush and keep the path open so the light of each day can enter with ease.

Apr 5

4 Comments

Partake

“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” – Mahatma Gandhi

May the hope, love, mercy, forgiveness, redemption and resurrection of Easter permeate your soul and free your spirit today and every day. Partake in the awe and wonder freely given. Each day offers a new beginning, a fresh start, a second, third and fourth chance.

“The True Self is not our creation, but God's. It is the self we are in our depths. It is our capacity for divinity and transcendence.” – Sue Monk Kidd

“The True Self is not our creation, but God’s. It is the self we are in our depths. It is our capacity for divinity and transcendence.” – Sue Monk Kidd

Say YES! to that still, soft, persistent voice calling you to your True Self. Let your light shine brightly, breaking the darkness.

Grace, joy and light – Happy Easter.

Mar 31

4 Comments

Passes All Understanding

“I have become sure that if all I know about God is that my God is the fullness of life and the consummation of hope, the light on the way and the light at the end, then I will live my life in the consciousness of God and goodness everywhere, obscure at times, perhaps, but never wholly lacking.” – Joan Chittister

If left to our own understanding, many days, some people and the crosses that we each bear don’t make any sense. This Holy Week that starts with palms and celebration moves rapidly to betrayal, desertion, denial and unimaginable suffering. Three days later, despair transforms through resurrection. Light overcomes dark. Always.

And through all of our trials, should we dare to have the faith to believe, we discover and capture a peace that passes all understanding.

This week is ultimately about love, without condition in its highest form, showing us the way through the valleys and the mountains. On the cusp of Easter, go deeper, stay longer and find that peace.

Mar 29

4 Comments

In-between

“Life is one big transition.” – Willie Stargell

“Life is one big transition.” – Willie Stargell

Not still winter yet not quite spring.
In-between.
On the edge.
The grip of winter slowly releases allowing hints of spring to appear.
Moments gather to days and transition time prepares us for transformation.
Releasing what was for what is to be, to the new, the next.

The sun and the rain do their job melting the ice’s resolve.
Blue breaks through the white and the frozen evolves into water.
Gently giving way for the next season.
That which occurs does so in the right time.
Not hurried, prodded or pushed.
In due time, not our time.

Mar 7

7 Comments

Thaw

“Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring.” – William Alexander

After high 30s yesterday and with a steady increase into the 50s the next few days, the snow will melt transforming the hard ground into soft green grass. The spring thaw uncovers not only the girls’ toys but my socks that they’ve snuck out the past four months. When they grabbed one this morning, I let them go knowing clean up begins today and it gave me a good laugh.

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” – Ellis Peters

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” – Ellis Peters

The thaw brings a newness and fresh start that we all need on many levels. It’s been a particularly busy three months and there’s been a lot of autopilot just grinding it out, doing more and more. Frozen and buried in habits of too much doing.

As winter transforms to spring, so can we. The thaw of our judgments, assumptions and ego makes way for hope, joy, kindness and delight in each day. The buds asleep beneath the earth break through and the beauty and promise of what’s next reveals itself in its own time. Cast light and let the thaw begin.

Feb 26

Underneath

Underneath the cold and bitterness outside and within, there’s hope in the quiet of winter and sweetness in the anticipation of spring. A bud ready to burst through the frozen ground, the warmth of the sun grows stronger, as do we. The blur takes shape and clarity ensues. Underneath will rise, if we allow, trust and believe.

“God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” – Martin Luther

“God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” – Martin Luther

Dec 24

7 Comments

Green Christmas

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” – Charles Dickens

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” – Pedro Calderon de la Barca

“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” – Pedro Calderon de la Barca

With high 30 temperatures and drizzle over the past week, this year we are going to have a very green Christmas in Minnesota and many parts of the country. People were golfing yesterday. I may need to cut the grass if this keeps up. We have had many white and cold Christmases and after the November deep freeze, I am alright with a green Christmas. And I am sure winter has not had its last word.

It’s also a wonderful reminder of what this season is truly about – birth, vitality, life renewed, vibrant color, warmth, redemption, faith, hope and love. This season can be carried in our hearts and actions into the new year and every single day.

Merry Green Christmas.

Apr 20

2 Comments

New Beginnings

“Almost every hour of every day, we’ll find ourselves in a situation where we can be now who we weren’t before, because we know now what we didn’t know before. And from this newness in our being springs fresh opportunities we could never have imagined. God specializes in new beginnings.” – Marianne Williamson

“Love makes the world less worldly, less dense, more transparent to the divine dimension, the light of consciousness itself.” – Eckhart Tolle

“Love makes the world less worldly, less dense, more transparent to the divine dimension, the light of consciousness itself.” – Eckhart Tolle

Easter shouts for joy and proclaims the promise of new beginnings and everlasting life. As the sun burns off the fog, there’s a new clarity and vision. We do not walk alone and road ahead need not be defined by miles gone by. Forge ahead confident, open to receiving the gift of awesome possibilities beyond your imagination.

Apr 15

2 Comments

Love Always Wins

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” – Francis of Assisi

The one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon terrorist bombings; a former KKK member and racist kills three people outside two Jewish facilities in Kansas City the night before Passover; Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

As darkness shows itself through unfathomable acts of hatred and evil, the story always has the same ending. Love wins the day. Healing comes with time. Hearts soften to start to beat again. Heroes rise and show us how to live stronger, filled with hope despite it all.

Sow love.

Apr 13

3 Comments

Do

“It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.” – Moliere

Words unsaid. Deeds undone. Forgiveness held back. Talents buried. Regret is most often found in the midst of what we choose not to do. As this week leads to Easter, to redemption and the gift of grace, we can be jolted out of our complacency to live better, more deeply and with great joy.

Say more, do more, forgive more and become who you are meant to be.

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »