Spring is here and the birds are singing. Our yard has birdhouses and birdfeeders scattered throughout the woods. Each week we buy birdfood and fill up the feeders and check on the birdhouses. When the morning breaks, I hear the birds singing, awakening my morning sleep. Sometimes their sounds are like a sweet song by the mellow tones they produce. At other times, their sounds are more intense and sharp.
The daffodils are also starting to sprout. Over the years, they have blossomed more so. It seems that one day they are sprouts and the next day our yard is full of beautiful yellow flowers. In the beginning stages of blossoming, you can see the buds forming. Then, they start to break open. When they open, it’s beautiful to see the transformation process.
I am starting to work on our garden. Each year, I plant more and it keeps getting larger. Starting the garden is hard work. Digging, getting the soil just right, cleaning the debris and planning the plants to grow. In the middle of summer, I see the breakthrough as plants starting to grow abundantly but not yet ready to be harvested. At the end of the growing season, I get a bit sad as the process has come to a close.
A few weeks ago, he kids and I were going through mementos on a snow day. As we were sifting through the items, I came across our son’s chart I used to write on when he was a baby. He’s eleven now and those years have gone by quickly. I reminisced over the feeding schedule that I found in the box. Thinking back to him as a little guy and growing into a young man emphasized the transformation process in life.
The past few weeks I have taken some time to be renewed. With writing, I am searching for ideas to write and look for inspiration. Some ways I have been practicing renewal has been through music, decorating, reading, spending time outside and listening to uplifting podcasts. In life, we have those seasons of sprouting: new goals to pursue, challenges to overcome. We also have moments of breaking open whether it be working hard to achieve a goal, figuring out how to overcome a setback and even working through pain and sadness. Just like flowers we have transformation moments. When transforming, we blossom through the growing process.
One goal of mine in this renewal season has been to grow in my skills as a writer, but also to tend to my heart renewal. Recently, I have joined a group of writers called HopeWriters. It is a great community of writers who encourage and support one another. The motto of HopeWriters is: “We are a community of working writers dedicated to the success and creativity of each member. For over 3 years we’ve worked hard to train, support, equip, and encourage writers who want to write meaningful words without sacrificing their meaningful life.”
If you are wanting to grow, a great podcast I have been listening to is The Jennifer Allwood Show. If you are a creative, you will find beneficial ideas to help you on your creative journey by listening to Jennifer’s podcast. If you are looking for uplifting inspiration with some humor, Jennifer’s podcast is one to gain insight.
As the spring season unfolds, may we find ways to grow and transform. May we see breakthroughs and transformation in our renewal.
“She sprouted love like flowers, Grew a garden in her mind, And even on the darkest days, From her smile the sun still shined.” ~ Erin Hanson.