Greeting Sunny Optimists,
I love the author Bill Bryson, and whenever I feel the need for lighthearted erudition, he is my go-to place. This week, my visit to our local library netted me his book called At Home: A Short History of Private Life. I enjoy sitting in the sunshine and savouring his encyclopedic mind and good-humoured love of life.
He is documenting how we live and asking great questions about this. One question that stopped me in my tracks was, ‘Why does a fork have four prongs? I laughed aloud, and I cannot quite look a fork the same way now. I find this kind of quirky playfulness so appealing. How often do we actually stop and take time to celebrate our lives and wonder why things are as they are?
I would love to hear from you about your appreciation of everyday life. What questions you might ask that stop us in our tracks.
Big smile!
Celebrating our Spring Equinox
This joyful exploration of everyday life flows so sweetly into the celebration of the Spring Equinox that will be with us this Monday. The equinox is when the day and the night are of equal length. It is a time of transition, where from now on, the days get longer, and the weather improves. We move from the quieter reflective time of Winter to the stirring into the action of Spring. There is often a sizzle at this time of year as our attention shifts to being ready for the new to appear.
You may remember that last December, I shared with you a series of Winter dreaming contemplations that led us to gather our ‘Seeds of Intention’ for 2022. Like the acorn, each of our seeds holds a blueprint that guides us to its manifestation. It is a magical and mysterious process. Our intentions have been secretly germinating over the last three months. It is time now to move these seedlings into the light so that they can mature into their fullness come Summer.
You can see the fertile earth holding each little seedling in the image below. For us, too, we need to have a nurturing environment for our intentions to blossom. One powerful way to do this is to spend time with nature. To slow down, open our senses, and be with the wisdom that resides in the natural world.
To celebrate this time of transition, I have recorded a guided visualization called Spring Equinox, New Beginnings from the lovely little book by Dorothea Breitzter-Kings called Meditations Through the Year. It beautifully captures the sights, the smells, the sounds, and the beauty that is there for us to enjoy as spring awakens the land. My friend and coach Tim Uffindell has gifted us a beautiful lyrical accompaniment. Click here or on the image above to listen. We hope it nurtures you and your seeds.
Walking in Nature on the Spring Equinox
I so appreciate going outside and experiencing the sun's gentle warmth on my face. To feel the air temperature rising and to sense into all that is getting ready to burst forth is just a delight.
The daffodils are here,
The trees are budding,
The dawn chorus seems louder each day,
And the lambs have arrived.
If you have time, I invite you to go out for a walk on Monday to look for signs of Spring. As you set out on your walk, activate your senses and feel yourself settling into the present moment. Let all thoughts fall away. Look out for the buds on the trees, the spring flowers, and the birds arriving or leaving on their annual migrations. Look to the sky and feel the warmth of the air. Meander. There is nowhere for you to be, no destination, just enjoy whatever is around you.
As you are out walking, here are some questions for you:
What are you seeing?
What are you hearing?
How are you feeling?
What are you smelling?
After a while, it might be nice to stop somewhere and review your 2022 intentions. What is unfolding? What next? You might take a notebook with you and write down any insights you gain.
Please share your musings. I love hearing from you.
Ann
A fork has prongs that number four.
I believe it must. It cannot have more
For if its prongs added up to a score
My o my the tongue would be sore!
Ann. It’s lovely to be here
I was just thinking this afternoon
When problems come one after one
We can catch the brightness on our spoon
There’s nothing to compare with a dollop of sun
I’m feeling fantastic today. So much to read and hear and listen to
The nightmares may be numerous
But the beautiful light of our surrounding world - so continuous lovely endearing and infinite
I admit I don’t have really big difficulties in my own life. I certainly try to scoop up the sunlight and hope. More and more and more. It’s lovely. And there for the taking. Have a beautiful afternoon x
For now, gratitude for Fridays Sunny Optimist. It was a gift of Sunny energy to add to the high vibrational energies of the weekend… which included for Tim and me, time connecting with nature. Now integration time
Sunny love and appreciation to you, Dear Ann!!
🌟❤️Robyn