Greeting Sunny Optimists,
How are you this week? I hope you are enjoying the freshness of each new spring day. I so appreciate going outside and experiencing the gentle warmth of the sun 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 snowdrops are here,
The trees are budding,
The dawn chorus seems louder each day,
And the lambs have arrived.
Yey, I love this time of year. I can feel my spirits rise with each new day.
This weekend it is the Spring Equinox 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 slowly 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.
It has been such a challenging year for us all, and spring reminds us that there are lighter and warmer days ahead. I was going to write 'better days ahead,' but that did not feel the best energy for us today. While this past year has been extremely challenging, many people say that we have opportunities to heal the Earth. Also, there is a chance for humanity to mature enough so that all life can thrive. And so ‘lighter and warmer’ felt more hopeful.
Despite it all, I can feel my optimism rising. I wonder if your optimism is increasing too. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Nurturing our Intentions for 2021
You may remember that last December, I shared with you a series of winter dreaming contemplations that led us to gather our 2021 seeds of intention. Like the acorn, each of our seeds holds a blueprint that will guide 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.
In the picture below, you can see the fertile earth holding each little seedling. 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 out in nature. To slow down, open our senses, and just be with the wisdom that resides in the natural world.
Below I have recorded for you a guided visualization of a 'walking in nature' meditation. It is called Spring Equinox, New Beginnings from the 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.
To listen to the recording, please click here or on the photo below.
Walking in Nature on the Spring Equinox
If you have time, I invite you to go out on Saturday for a walk to look for signs of Spring. As you set out on your walk, activate your senses, 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 sunlight, 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?
What are you feeling?
What are you smelling?
After a while, it might be nice to stop somewhere and review your 2021 intentions. What is unfolding? What next? You might take a notebook with you and write down any insights you gain.
Please share your experiences. I would love to hear from you.
Ann
A lovely spring video ☀️
So beautiful to be alive. And just to stop and feel that wonder for a few moments
It’s deeper than I can ever realise. Living life. And being optimistic through difficult times
Optimism real optimism takes emotional courage. Real guts. Strong will. Because it requires action. But we do all fall over and listening and respecting sound advice helps us to stand again and see life in overwhelming new ways. More wonderful than ever before. Really true.
For me there is no easy formula for staying optimistic and confident when lots of issues are challenging except perhaps to combine three things
1. It’s a cliche I know. But to really count ones blessings. And to do so more than the previous day
2. Music can lift ones spirits beyond the stratosphere. Take the opening of the concerto grosso by Vaughan Williams written around 1950 for example. The way it begins is to bring sunlight to every last corner of my vision. And furthermore to light up my whole life with Hope and happiness
And 3. To remember others. And to try to respect others and listen. Even to I’ve fragment of wisdom each day.
I try not to feel ashamed. There are lots of lovely things in life. And at the moment I write send heartfelt hopes for everyone to find strength and beauty in the moment.
Ann. Glad always there be here. You’re a champion best wishes. 😀✍️🎶