Spring is finally here (in my corner of the world at least) and I’m more than ready for it! I stared in denial at the enormous flakes of snow flinging themselves past my window this morning, and am relieved to see that it’s gone already. The tulip tree and pansies are still standing, and even look a bit fresher than yesterday. I always find that spring makes me itchy, in an enjoyable sort of way. I have the urge to clean, throw out, rearrange, and generally turn everything inside out. This year it’s compounded by being 6 months pregnant, so the ‘nesting’ urge is added to the fray. So renewal ... making new again.
The earth seems programmed to renew itself naturally, despite the abuses we heap on it. So what about us? Are we programmed to renew ourselves body, mind, and spirit? I believe we do have a natural inclination towards it, but often ignore it. We miss out on cleaning out the corners, peeling off the extra layers, shedding weights of all kinds, and seeing things in new ways. We accept the dust, the confusion, and the extra stuff as part of life.
What clutter and dust do you have around ... in your house, your relationships, your heart, your mind? If you see it, can you feel the weight of it? Things you’ve been putting off that make you feel guilty, corners full of unfinished projects, habits you’re tired of but can’t seem to shed, or resolutions from January that lie untouched and forgotten. Even pockets of bitterness or anger tucked away in your heart. They’re all tolerations. Things you’re accepting, but not enjoying. Space hogs, mentally or physically. They suck the life and joy right out of you. I have a friend here in NYC who has been tolerating her job and her home the last few months, but getting more miserable by the day. She suddenly decided this weekend to take the plunge, and is moving across the country 6 weeks from now. She’s excited about getting rid of everything she can, and traveling light. Shedding her tolerations, and starting anew somewhere else. I applauded, though I’ll miss her tremendously.
So you. The one reading this. I dare you to take one of those things, just one, and act on it in the next hour. Make that call, throw it away, cross it off, clean it up. Do whatever it takes to make it happen now, and get rid of a worthless toleration. I’m not advocating cross-country moves as being the necessary standard for drama, just tackle what’s in front of you. You’ll feel the difference, and just may become addicted to the feeling. You also may find yourself able to stop and smell the flowers, or at least watch the grass grow for a moment or two. You’re certainly worth it.