The Winds of Change . . .
Spring is in the air…
Well, as of today, Spring is upon us. March 20, 2014 marks the spring equinox and the end of winter. If you lived in Southern California this year you may feel like summer never ended and we just skipped through winter and went right into spring. I guess that is one of the main reasons we are all crammed into this corner of the world, some of the best weather on the planet, am I right? But I digress.
I love spring, a new chapter about to begin, and a fresh new outlook on life. A new beginning where hope springs eternal. A chance to shed the old and invite in the new. As much as we may want some things to stay the same in this life that is a power we do not posses. Things do not stay the same. We are always facing change and evolution. Most people, like me, have trouble processing that the only constant in this life, is change.
I want to repeat that… The only constant in this life, is change!
No matter how much we want something to stay the same, it never will, time marches on and the old chapters end and the new ones begin. Nature provides an unparalleled education to us all with the changing seasons and days that grow longer as we get warmer. What a great teacher to us all if we would just be still and allow the lesson to wash over us and be embraced us.
The smells of spring are one of the biggest indicators to me of this change. We have a wisteria vine in our back yard and when it blooms its purple flowers, the sweet aroma is unmistakable. As I walk outside it can literally stop me in my tracks, as I inhale deeply, a smile cracks over my face and I just take it in. It is one of the best reminders of me to just stop and appreciate the moment of now. So I stop and smell the wisteria.
Photo Courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/olm26250
It is one of the hardest things for us humans, to just stop and appreciate the now. To not worry about the future or try and fix something in our past – to just enjoy the moment in front of you. I understand that not all moments in our life are joyful, that pain and sorrow can be part of our now as well. But even in that journey we must pause and take it in, as difficult as that is.
I take in that sweet wisteria aroma for as much and as long as I can because I know it will not be around very long. The seasons continue to march on just like the seasons of our lives. If you are a parent you see the constant changes in your children as they grow and mature, they do not stay babies or toddlers or even teenagers forever (Thank God) they are in constant flux and change. Another terrific reminder for us of this constant evolution we call life.
So embrace the change and the newness that it brings. Be intentional about truly seeing the moments in front of you as they unfold. They will never unfold in quite the same way for you ever again – enjoy them! So take a moment this spring to “stop and smell the wisteria (or whatever makes you stop in your tracks)” and open your heart and soul to feel the wonderful newness of spring as a smile cracks across your face and you soak it all in.
Photo Courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ErikdeGraaf
|| what do you think?
What is your biggest reminder of spring?
What is your trigger that reminds you to stop and smell the roses?
47 Comments
My biggest reminder of spring is seeing the green on the hills and orange and red flowers blooming around my house. It doesn’t seem like much of a change weather wise but it seems like a sigh of relief comes to the faces and moods of people all around. I think it is the change and promise of a new year now that we “survived” the harsh (mid sixty degree, LoL) winter. I am glad the year is moving quickly, my favorite season is summer and it is just around the corner. In the meantime I will enjoy this season of change.
Jenn,
Yes, summer sits pretty well with me as well. But all of it points to change and that nothing stays the same. You know the people in colder climates this year prayed for an early spring, as they did have to “Survive’ the winter this year. Congratulations on your new chapter in life coming your way, just another example.
Chuck
Chuck,
I have realized through your posting that all of my closest relationships I have these days is because we as friends mutually live moment-to-moment with each other. We don’t care about the past, and we only get excited about the future and not try to create it. We “go with the flow”.Thank you for this very fresh blog, and thank you for helping me appreciate the here and now.
Always your buddy,
Michael
Michael,
A wise man beyond his years. Those that can master living in the now will have a joyful existence. We always feel we can control every aspect of our lives and every outcome. But when we can “go with the flow” good things will come our way.
Chuck
Charles,
What a sweet blog Mr. Ricciardi. I am a big fan of Spring. Just the smell in the air. The crisp Santa Ana’s blowing and the smell of Bon Fire’s on the coast. The absolute best. It is the simplicities such as these that make me love this time of year. It is just feel good weather. Much like mother nature and her constant moldings, I too enjoy change. Not necessarily in appearance per say, but change in the mind and spirit. Without change we would be in a constant mode of Boredom! Thanks for the blog again. Love the way you think!
Joanna,
Well I love your thinking as well. It is the simple things in life that can sometimes bring us the most joy. Mother nature allows us to observe changes almost on a daily basis. I have to admit, I have had to work on accepting change but now realize that it is the only thing you can count on. Enjoy those bon fires and have fun this spring with your family.
Chuck
Hi Chuck,
I love spring (even if we do have great weather all year long)! Growing up in Michigan, it was the lilac bushes that were our first indication that spring had arrived. I can remember as if it were yesterday picking the fragrant flowers on my way home from school and arriving home with a big bouquet of the purple flowers for my Mom.
Several of my Persian friends are celebrating Nowrus today; the Persian New Year, which falls on the first day of spring and is a time for renewal and acceptance of change.
Being a “planner” by nature, I appreciate your blog and it will help me to make a conscience effort to “stop and smell the wisteria” and enjoy the moment I am in right now!!
Thanks Chuck!
Becky
Becky,
it is amazing how easily we can be brought back to our childhood every time spring unfolds. I like the theme of the Persian New Year… A time for renewal and an acceptance of change. Thanks for sharing, enjoy the moments.
Chuck
I love spring too, Chuck! My biggest reminder of spring is my birthday I feel the same way as you about the smell of the flowers, and also sometimes there is a smell of the beach in the air that I’ve grown to appreciate. I like that everything is constantly changing, because if it didn’t we would not appreciate things as much. It is also good when things are not ideal in life or outright terrible, you can always count on the fact that it will not stay this way, things will change.
Shasta,
Wise beyond her years…How boring it would be in this life if everything stayed the same. To much of anything, even a good thing is still to much. So change is a necessity isn’t it. If you can master the philosophy that “this to shall pass” you will live a life full of contentment. When we are in the darkness, even though we can not see it or even feel it change will come to bring us out into the light. Happy B-Day!
Chuck