Spring fills me with hope. Each day, I notice something new emerging when I go outside. A burst of bright yellow daffodils, sprigs of grass greening the landscape, or tiny buds reappearing on the bare trees. This beautiful visual feast lifts my spirits.

Possibilities abound. As the air warms and the landscape changes, I feel encouraged to let go of things and thoughts that no longer serve a purpose. I am ready to release what’s weighing me down and embrace what energizes me.

Recently, I spent time in our yard picking up sticks that had fallen during storms.  As I scanned and found each broken branch on the ground, I bent down to grab it.  After gathering each armful, I released them out into the back woods. This simple practice of identifying what didn’t belong, gathering, and releasing was incredibly satisfying. This clearing reinforced the value of noticing and letting go of those things in my life that no longer belong.

What are you ready to release? Let me know how I can help.

Spring is a magical time of year when the earth comes alive with bursts of color. Each day I notice something new that delights my senses- a tiny purple flower here, a warm breeze there. I feel hopeful and ready to let go of winter’s heaviness and things that have overstayed their welcome.

This season also brought with it a profound loss. My mom died on March 27th, after celebrating her 92nd birthday a few weeks earlier. It was another kind of letting go, as I said my goodbyes to her. Mom’s passing has made me reflect on the wonderful mom, friend, and person she has been in my life. What a positive force she was! Even though she experienced a significant cognitive decline over these past eight years because of vascular dementia, she continued to have a zest for life and love for people and music. With a compromised sense of the past and future, she lived in the present and modeled mindfulness. When I visited with her, I’d enter her world- living in and savoring each moment.

This has been a tough year for many of you. If you have experienced loss and are working through grief and letting go, be gentle with yourself. My heart goes out to you.