You know how the Christmas song goes: It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
I like the song, but I don’t think it should be written about the holiday season. I think it should be written about spring.
After months of dark, short days, cold and drizzle (especially if you live in Seattle). After bare branches on trees and plants looking dead, everything starts to bud and unfurl, everything starts to grow again. It really is miraculous.
I’ve been going on what I call Bloom Walks for weeks now. Every day, I make sure to get out there to see what new is up and blooming. It starts with the snowdrops and crocuses, then moves on to daffodils, violets, forsythia, and primroses. Now we’re on to magnolias, hyacinths, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and the first of the tulips. It’s a bit like a visual symphony, with different flowers coming in when they’re ready to play their part. It really is miraculous.
It reminds me of that quote about flowers being the slower, quieter version of fireworks. Or the one by Emerson, who said the earth laughs in flowers. It certainly does in the spring.
How lucky are we?
But this is what spring teaches me every year: I have to go out and look for it.
Because spring is fleeting; some flowers live for only a few days. If I don't get out there, I'll miss it.
It’s a bit like the sunset or sunrise. You have to take the time, you have to look up from the screen.
I can’t say I do this 100% of the time, but I really do try. Especially in spring, I do.
And this is what I find: there is so much beauty out there, if only I stop to look.
I found this sweet film (below) by Hailey Bartholomew, via Karen Walrond’s Make Light newsletter, and it echos this philosophy: What you look for, you will find.
The good, the bad, the beauty, the hearts, the squares, all the flowers.
What are you looking for these days?
I’m going to keep this one short today, as I have a subscriber-only newsletter going out this week as well. Upgrade to a paid subscription, if you’d like to receive that and support my work (many, many thanks to all who have taken the plunge).
Until then, sending flowers and beach hearts ❤️ 🌊
That was a lovely video. Your post (and the video) reminded me of a teaching-story where a traveler sits by the side of the road to rest his feet and leans against a tree, but doesn't realize that it's a magical tree (or there's a genie or spirit inside... or something). The tired traveler says out-loud, "Wouldn't it be lovely to have a picnic," and magically, a picnic appears. He is very surprised, and sensing something is up, he says, "Wouldn't it be lovely to have a house in this beautiful spot." This wishing goes on and on, until he voices the fear, "What if there's a demon living in the tree causing all my wishes to come true... and the demon comes out of the tree and eats me up." And that's exactly what happens.
Obviously, this philosophy doesn't work for all areas of life (though it would be lovely if a positive mindset could make all difficulties disappear), however, like the hearts-video... and your search for flowers and beauty... if we open our eyes (and hearts) to look for lovely things, chances are that we will find them.
Thank you, as always.