Soaking Up Spring

“I can still bring into my body the joy I felt at seeing the first trillium of spring, when it seemed to be telling me ‘Never give up hope, spring will come’.” ― Jessica Stern

It’s spring break in Austin this week and Mother Nature is offering a priceless gift of spectacular weather. I want to soak up as much of vibrant energy and beauty as possible to revive my spirit after an intense winter.

While writing this newsletter, a small voice inside tried to guilt me into dampening this hopeful message because of so much suffering happening now. Then an email arrived with a copy of Fr Ron Rolheiser‘s “Guidelines For The Long Haul” (offered  in 1988 and updated in 2013). The first guideline addresses guilt and enjoying what’s in front of us: “1. Be grateful…never look a gift universe in the mouth! Resist pessimism and false guilt. To be a saint is to be warmed by gratitude, nothing less. The highest compliment you can give a gift-giver is to thoroughly enjoy the gift. You owe it to the Creator to appreciate things, to be as happy as you can. Life is meant to be more than a test. Add this to your daily prayer: Give us today our daily bread and help us to enjoy it without guilt.” Wherever you live, if you are blessed with the life-giving energy of spring’s beauty, soak it up and then soak it up some more. Refreshed, renewed, and restored, may you then offer prayers and other forms of support to all those suffering or still in winter’s grip.

May you make the most of the hope spring offers and share her gifts lavishly with others.

Rewards of the Simple Life