So spring tends to come slowly and on it’s own terms here in Michigan. We have a few days early on, sometimes even in February that are warm and the sunshine finally seems strong enough to penetrate to our bones and finally warm us from the harsh cold of winter, just to freeze again and have our excitement for gardening, biking, and outdoor walks squelched, along with our positive attitude. Eventually though Mother Nature will overcome and we again find ourselves in flip-flops and needing sunscreen.
As I did a morning stroll this week, I noticed the birds once again singing songs we hadn’t heard since last year. Iris and tulips reaching toward the light, despite the bitter breeze. The trees seemed to have produced their buds overnight and the scent in the air was subtlety more fresh and called me to stay outside longer. I love to watch the seasons change, it is cathartic and makes me feel connected to the earth on which we exist. The grand design is amazing and I feel privileged to partake in the secrets that it has. Only after time I realized they are not secrets, people just do not take the time to see.
So as we enter this new beginning for the nature that surrounds us, I encourage you all to spend quiet time with yourself. You may choose to have nature surround you when you do, or you may pick solitude in a quiet room. Either way it gives you a chance to “see” the things around you that we tend to pass by in the busy routines of our lives. By these “things” I not only mean observing the world that surrounds us, but also “things” about ourselves. Yes, I mean that as I learned to see things happening around me in nature, I too realized I needed to look closely at myself. Many of us learn to get by without such self reflection, but at what cost?
We all know our emotions hide in our bodies. We are too busy to grieve, cry, laugh, etc. Life is busy. Sometimes too busy. We find ourselves hanging onto fear. Maybe a job we should have taken, but was afraid. A love we missed out on, a partnership we wish we’d have joined. We harbor anger or resentment. We avoid the confrontations we needed to have with someone to gain closure. We put off crying over the death of a loved one due to time constraints, just to break down at a random moment and the cause seems a mystery. Sometimes we find joy, love and contentment taking a backseat to sports schedules, carpools and work.
To properly care for ourselves we need to take care of the spirit and soul as well as the physical bodies we inhabit. This is why I find myself longing to be outside, in nature, alone with my thoughts…or better yet, my lack of thoughts. I immerse myself into only being present in the moment. To watch and listen only. As a bystander in another world, my own fears, angers and negative thoughts can wash away in the breeze. I came to it purely by accident when I admitted to a friend that I felt closer to God during these times. That is when I realized it was because I was relaxed and totally at peace.
When the weather is not as forgiving as it is in spring and summer, I have found I can still find peace if I leave technology behind and go to a quiet room where I will be uninterrupted and I can close my eyes and clear my mind. Now this may be hard for many to commit too, sitting in stillness and clearing the mind- there’s laundry and bills, and dishes after all! But I remind you, they will all be there after you have rejuvenated your mind. Practice at first by just going there alone, sit quietly. Cry if you need to, yell if you need to, let all the negative thoughts out and then just wait for the quiet relief that will soon follow. It will be worth the time it takes. And it will take time. Don’t give up.
Explore your options for emotional and spiritual wellness today. Maybe you would like to join a yoga class, where physical and spiritual wellness directly connect. Maybe a meditation class suits you. Maybe nature walks alone like me, or just making a quiet corner of the house your own. Whatever it is, I hope this spring is the time you decide to start practicing quiet time alone. I found it keeps me on track, focused and able to go about the busy times of my life at peace. I want you to find your peace too. Good Luck-Happy Spring. Ariana, office manager KMWC
