Spring

I need to look no further than the orange tree in my backyard to be reminded that spring is on its way. The tree is covered in white sweet smelling blossoms that will soon be oranges. After what feels like a long winter (it’s lasted two years, right?!), there is hope for the change of season and longer, sunny days to be outside. Spring is also a time when people talk about “spring cleaning”. While it is usually used in reference to clearing closets of clutter and putting an extra shine on parts of the house that we may have neglected, I’d like to also think about our own personal spring cleaning.

What do we need to get rid of? Anger? Hurt? Disappointment? The longer we live, the more likely these things have entered our lives and given us pause to wonder about the true nature of people. Yes, people hurt each other. It happens to everyone. It leaves its mark on our heart and, often, that mark runs deep. Sometimes we hurt each other consciously and other times, unknowingly. Either way, the damage is done. The trick, I think, is to not let these hurts and disappointments be in the center stage of our mind. Sure, examine them, feel them and then move on. Give them a small compartment in your head but not all of it. It’s been proven over and over, the thoughts we have now can control our future thoughts. Rather than seeing the bad, seeing the good opens up the possibility of more good entering our thoughts and our lives. Bad breeds bad. Good breeds good. It’s that simple and yet that difficult. Nobody wishes for a life of hurt and misery and yet, many of us have a life built on those things rather than joy and love.

So grab your mop and Pine Sol and start doing some spring cleaning. And while you’re at it, allow your mind to get a good spring cleaning as well. Both will make your life less burdened and give it a much needed shine.

Happy spring ~ in our houses, in our hearts and in our minds!

Biggsuzi