Photo by Spencer Davis on UnsplashMan using angle grinder
I have always liked spring. Many people do…
It arrives after the coldness of winter, bringing longer days and a brighter light. When we “spring forward” in time, changing our clocks one hour ahead, I am always amazed at how tired I feel for such a small shift.
Recently we had the first official day of spring. The weather will soon catch up, launching us into temperate days – the hallmark of spring. Yet, it still feels like winter, with changeable temperatures. I often say that mother nature is confused, and we are living with the results. Soon though, we will have mild and pleasant days with chirping birds, budding flowers, and lush trees. The flora and fauna come alive. The air will brush our skin gently with the sun following – to nourishes us.
Let’s look at this metaphor: As the days expand in my emotional, spiritual spring what will I plant? What do I want in my garden? With love as a context and guide, I want to develop relationships and be authentic in my interactions, to reach out in social arenas. I want to create articles and essays – writing authentically – planting and fertilizing within my blogging community.
I’d like to share an example of my challenge to plant compassion. One Wednesday in my office* workmen were drilling on the building’s façade. I could see them on the scaffolding where they could look into my office, seeing me, and my clients’ backs.
Late afternoon, during two sessions, the drilling, periodically, was so loud my clients and I had to yell to be heard. I’m not exaggerating! At certain moments I felt flashes of anger because the noise was an assault and intrusion into my usually, very quiet space. When the anger flashed, I said to myself: They’re doing their job. The anger left me. I repeated this mantra every time anger flashed, and I was able to keep from feeling or feeding the annoyance. I replaced the irritation with a reality for which I felt compassion. These men were doing their work. This acknowledgement kept me where I wanted to be, in compassion.
As I was packing up to leave the office one of the workmen looked up from the scaffolding, right into my window and warmly smiled at me. We were eye to eye! I smiled back. This was a joyful and loving moment, like sharing a burst of love. Had I been huffing and puffing about the drilling, I do believe he would have felt the negative energy. His smile confirmed to me that I had stayed positive and shared loving energy…
On this first day of spring there was an opportunity to show compassion and fertilize it. There will be many opportunities to share it again when I choose love over fear/anger. I want to sprinkle my garden with love, compassion, connectedness, and expanded vision so that these will nourish, feed, and connect me with others…
Happy spring. Speak to you soon!
Peace & Love,
Linda
*This essay is slightly revised from the original, posted on March 25, 2013, See blogs on LindaMarsanico.com.
