Springtime

Until today, I never really cared about spring. Of all the seasons, it's the least dramatic. If you think about it, it's kind of like the warm up act for summer. Everything in spring happens so gradually that you hardly notice until one day, the lightweight sweater you put on in the cool morning has turned into a portable suana. Or the flowers you planted weeks before seem to bloom overnight. Neither of those events "just happened". They were a long time coming. We just didn't see the work being done.

That's how I feel today. Like something that has been buried just below the surface has popped up and while I'm not sure what it means, I know that my growth is taking an outward appearance. For example, I have been putting off getting my hair highlighted. Now those of you who knew me in grad school know that in an of itself should have been cause to have me committed. But today, I took a chance, went to the Cosmotolgy School here in town and am quite happy with the results... yes, I may actually forego the expensive salon prices for a good product at a great price. It may seem silly, especially if your a guy, but what's one of the first things we women do when we're ready for a change? Show me MAKEOVER.

Another thing that has changed is the book. I am still editing, but now when people ask me about it, I share a bit without hesitation. Not that writing the book has redefined me, but let's be honest, writing 401 pages of fiction is something that more than a few people want to do, but the number of people who actually put pen to paper (or document to printer) is far less. Even if the book never gets published, I get to cross something off my bucket list. It's the realization that I accomplished something even I thought I would never do, and it turns out not to suck. Even better.

Spring also makes me feel like things are possible. Maybe last year I didn't take the kids to the park as often as I wanted. Maybe I found reasons not to have adventures, even little ones, with them. Maybe last year, I didn't get in shape. Maybe I wasn't the best friend I could have been. Maybe I was too short with my husband. The great thing is, I realize that today (and every day) is a clean slate. It's a chance to start over. While there is someone in my past who caused me great pain, he did have a couple of hallmark moments. One of his comments was about gettting a chance to start the day over every second of every day. All you have to do is realize that you're on the wrong path, make a choice to change it, and then do it. (I really, for his sake, wish he would have taken some of his sage advise.) But he was none-the-less right. Every moment we have is a chance to make our life more. More of what we want, more of who we are, more love, more kindness, more hope, more forgiveness, more laughter, more everything.

So enjoy the awesome weather, even if hail is beating down on your car... that's what insurance is for, trust me, I know... and take some time to live in the moment and enjoy life. Can't do that? Well it's your lucky day. You have the chance to make a change.