by Dana Goodman

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party."  Robin Williams

"Spring won't let me stay in the house any longer!  I must get out and breathe the air deeply again."  Gustav Mahler

I know I am jumping the gun with a spring newsletter, but I just feel like renewal is in the air.  There is the presence of unexplainable joy, peace and hope.  Things that felt unattainable in the winter now seem like they are within our grasp.  The atmosphere is lighter and restorative.  It is as though everything that was sleeping springs to life, including our hearts.  New Years is a time of making resolutions, but spring is the time for resurrecting dreams and for fulfilling the longings of the heart.  Take some quiet time to reflect on what spring means for you.  You may want to journal your thoughts.  Here are some thoughts to ponder with God:

What dreams do you want to awaken in me?

What is the new thing you want to do in my life?

What areas of my heart need to be healed?

What gift would you like to give me in this season?

What have I missed because I have been so busy?  

What do you want me to slow down to notice?

What song represents how you feel about me?

Sit quietly in nature and notice what you hear, see, smell and feel and give God thanks!

Set aside time for solitude and meditation.  Listen to some quiet music, breathe deeply and simply rest in God's presence.

Take your camera and go for a walk.  Take photos of what stirs your heart.  Give God thanks for beauty.

We need silence to be alone with God,

To speak to Him, to listen to him,

To ponder His words deep in our heart.

We need to be alone with God in silence

To be renewed and transformed.

Silence gives us a new outlook on life.

In it we are filled with the grace of God himself,

Which makes us do all things with joy.

Mother Theresa 

Look around you:  winter is over;

the winter rains are over, gone!

Spring flowers are in blossom all over.

The whole world's a choir and singing!

Spring warblers are filling the forest

with sweet arpeggios.

Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,

and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.

 Song of Songs 2:11-13

For those that feel they've been in the winter season emotionally for far too long, hang on a little longer because spring is coming.

Have a beautiful day.  Dana