by Eliza Wing
It’s almost spring here in Northern Ohio. We all know what a hopeful thought that is – spring! Good things, like a green leaf or a snow drop or birds collecting in trees like fractious baubles are emerging. It feels as if everything is shaking off the cold and waking up. Of course, a front will eventually bear down. The baseball team will play on opening day and snow will likely fly. Never mind. Despite the wobbles, warmer days are on their way.
When we think of spring some of us consider spring cleaning. Now, I’d like to channel the wise Annie Lamott here who points out that when you look back on your life at age 80, you probably won’t be reflecting on how clean your house was in March 2022. So, maybe we can look at spring cleaning a bit more metaphorically. It’s been a long, long winter. Lots of things conspired to make this yet another season of endurance. Maybe you picked up some habits just to “get through” that you would like to shed. Maybe you put off some dreams because it doesn’t seem right to be dreaming while others are sick or fighting for their country (regarding that latter sentiment, I would argue that sickness and war both put a very sharp focus on exactly why we should dream and live as close to the dream as we possibly can).
I went and sat by the lake this morning. It was warm and calm. Not a breath of air. Some dark little ducks bobbed in the distance. A couple of women walked along the shore searching for beach glass. My dog didn’t really know what to do. We don’t rest much on our walks. But perhaps we should. Even in this season that is bursting with sap and green, there’s a point to staying still.
What might you find in your moment of quiet? Can you stop and take a break from your to-dos? Many of us operate as if whatever is good, is almost here. Whatever is good will be just after we get this one thing done. Whatever is good will be our reward for doing this other thing first. No. Not true. Whatever is good is right here, right now. Even if it hasn’t yet come to your attention. Let’s face it. All you really have is now.
Try this. Write down something you’d really like to accomplish. Now write down three things that you have to do before you accomplish that. Now, pretend you are 80 years old and looking back. Are those three things standing in your way what you are grateful for? Or is it that other thing, the one you can’t quite get to?
Be clear that you have a choice to let everything but the truth of your situation and how you decide to be drop away right now. And then Spring forth.
Join us this Sunday for our virtual Sanctuary Sunday class as we celebrate Awakening with mindful meditation and movement.
Don’t just take our word for it!
Some kind words from our Sanctuary Sunday students:
"Thank you both. Amazing how your teaching and messaging is always so "spot on". Don't even know I need it and then you provide such helpful words of wisdom.”
"So much today was wonderful! ... A lot of new territory. It was all wonderful. Calming and energizing.