Over the past week, I pondered and worked on a few different ideas for today’s newsletter. Nothing felt quite right. Typically, I’m inspired by experiences, observations, conversations, or ideas that come out of journaling or reading. But nothing felt certain this week. That’s part of the in between too. Things don’t always feel definite or obvious or clear. And still we move forward.
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I thought of skipping today’s newsletter altogether. And sometimes skipping things is the right choice. Letting go, quitting, subtracting. I’ve written about that before.
At the same time, I’ve had some forward momentum here and have been posting weekly for a solid four months. I kind of feel like I don’t want to “lose my streak.” Just like when I log my steps or my workouts. There’s an incentive to push on.
Not only that. It’s also a new month, and we’re on the cusp of a new season. Next weekend, many of us will set our clocks forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time. The meteorologic first day of spring is March 1. The Spring Equinox, astronomically the first day of spring, is Tuesday, March 19 this year.
With unseasonably warm temperatures, “spring” is definitely in the air. The stores are full of decorations and other goods for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. We yearn for warmer weather and new beginnings. For buds on the trees and green things pushing up through the soil.
It brings to mind spring cleaning. We may open our windows, air out our houses, scrub the floors, declutter the closets, and more. Sure. And also, what other kinds of spring cleaning might we do?
What have we been holding onto in our hearts or minds that we need to “clean out?”
What attitudes or grudges or resentments should be put in the metaphorical dust bin?
What heaviness from the past or present - or what unfounded speculation about the future - is holding us back?
And that’s my impromptu newsletter for today.
May we strive to live an examined and thoughtful life.
May we consider what “spring cleaning” we need for our souls as well as our homes.
Thanks for reading!
With gratitude,
Mary
Love new beginnings! The start of the school year. The start of the calendar year. The start of a new season. The start of each new day!