Is there anything that feels better than Spring?
Spent a glorious day, wandering, inquiring, observing in absolute wonder and gratitude – in my yard today. Everywhere beautiful signs of spring!
Little green sprouts bravely poking up their heads, a glorious array of bluebells covering the lawn as well as several other nooks and crannies. Lovely little buds on the apple tree. Rapidly expanding buds on my lilacs, eagerly bursting forth to try and outshine the forsythia in the race for the spotlight of beauty. But you darling crocus, you have won my heart today.
A stop at the pond to watch it awaken and search for any early signs of life. It is wonderfully still, my pond, just how I envisioned it when we first thought of putting it in. A ‘natural’ pond, no pumps, no motors, no mechanics of any kind. Just a simple healthy eco system – living, breathing, growing… Wonderfully clear the water glistens and I can see straight almost to the secrets that dwell at the bottom in the sunshine. The real beauty of my pond is that it requires one to stop … to sit … quiet, and calm the body and mind, to consciously observe, to watch, to listen, to breathe. The world also seems to slow, to quiet and to shine it’s focus … just there.
And then .. I see him. Racing madly for the surface, and up he pops, just to be noticed. My lovely little water beetle. Just as fast, he is motoring back down to the depths. I am certain he’s just come up to say ‘Hello’! Ah ha! Signs of life!
The Sparrows, Juncos, Doves and Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal all seem to travel with me as I go on inspecting their winter haunts, now slowly coming to life again.
The bees are already busy and buzzing along visiting each little bluebell as they go.
I stand soaking up the warmth of the sun, as my eyes drift down to half mast, and there I see you Mr. Toad, in your beautiful brown camouflage, lazily sunning yourself on a rock.
Had I not stopped and waited, watched and listened. Quieted my mind and body, centered myself in my heart and soul – I would have missed them, each one – I might have seen water, leaves, dead plants, dirt, nothing special or miraculous. Instead, I absorb the wonderful warmth of the sun, lift my face to it’s blazing beauty and I am filled with gratitude for each little creature and all the fresh beauty that I have the great fortune to be surrounded by on this glorious day.
Is there anything that feels better than Spring?
Well, of course there is Love, but right now, this feels very much the same to me! ♥
signs of Spring!
