When Trees Begin to Bud

Duke Gardens, early spring

Spring is my favorite time of year. No matter how difficult the winter, putting the wind, rain, sleet, snow and cold behind us is like forgetting childbirth. The memory is there, but in time the intensity fades, at least enough to be willing to do it all again and even look forward to it!

We all struggle through the winter seasons of our lives, when the dark and cold feels like it will always be with us and that the warmth of the sun will never return. Over the years I have discovered, as I hope you have, that when we keep moving, risking, and fighting our way through the dark times, sooner or later, we will find another spring.

The last few years have been a winter season in my life, but just as the trees are beginning to bud, I too have begun to feel the rumblings of a spring thaw within me. It appears a time of awakening is on the horizon, an awareness of change and growth, forward movement, new beginnings, new life, new endeavors.

Change and transition, fall, winter, spring and summer are a constant part of life. Each season, each beginning and end holds many valuable life lessons for us.  We gain strength and wisdom each time we rise and fall, face our demons, battle our misfortunes and experience life head on. Good times aren’t as good in the absence of hard times. A warm beautiful spring day isn’t as sweet when we haven’t experienced a cold, winter night.

The images of perfection and success that pervade the media would have us believe that happiness and success are easy to achieve and readily obtainable, but it is not the truth. It is the work of a seductive culture that would lure us down a different path…one not founded in truth. Most of us here know that it is precisely the trials and tribulations, the failures and the willingness to dig down deep to pull ourselves up, that make up the real stuff of life…that provide the genuine opportunity to discover strength we didn’t know we had, wisdom we never dreamed possible and inner peace where we can rest.

I have decided to share some of my journey of the past few years in future posts. I have learned so much. Perhaps, in some small way, it will be of value to you as well. Our stories are who we are. They are what make us unique.  In the end it may just be all we really have to offer one another. I hope you will join me and share a bit of your journey too.  ~Dorothy

© Dorothy Sander 2013

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