Here in Western NC so far in April, we have had spring, almost summer, and then back to winter. Oh, you, too??? I used to say “that’s just eastern NC weather for ya”, but now I realize, it’s not just one area, it’s weather, generally speaking. Realizing that “just weather” happens is basically a reminder that all of life, including the weather, we might have a master plan, but ultimately nothing is set in stone, and everything is apt to change.
I’ve been on an up and down trying to balance life (feel free to nod in agreement with “same“). When the weather is out of whack, it serves as a gentle reminder that it’s ok for me to feel that way, too. My brain has had spring, almost summer, and back to winter, too! My Dad is working through some heavy health issues, and in my mind, I’m still a little girl, and he isn’t supposed to be facing this yet. After letting Ginger dog go late January, we are looking at moderate kidney disease, and probably not much longer, for Miss Kitty, whom I’ve loved for 21 years. My kids are s t i l l remote only learning, and I am totally absolutely 100% OVER the 20-21 school year and burned out on all school related things. So, yes, I’m thankful for spring, that I’m fully Covid vaccinated next Monday, and so.very.glad the kids have a week off from school, but there’s still hefty stuff going on, and it’s ok to go back and forth between ok and not ok… much like the weather, right??
With the rain, more rain, deluge rain and then cold weather, I hadn’t been seeking spring beauty in any form. We’ve had a brilliant streak of sunshine the past few days, though, and walking through the woods yesterday, I came across a quite perfect sunbeam dancing on tiny cherry tree buds. I’ve always felt sunbeams are magical and inspiring. One of the reasons I chose the name “Positively Lit” for my website is my desire to spread positivity, which for me, translates to sharing beauty and light. When I capture fleeting sunbeams, and moments of brightness, I tuck them in a treasure box of sorts for when the shadows come. While I’m a huge believer in a positive attitude, I also live in the real world, and embrace feeling the feelings, even those less than positive feelings, so they can then make way for a brighter perspective. None of that “everything is ok” mentality for the sake of saying it, rather than feeling it, right??
I leave you today with a glimpse of spring as I see it here in the mountains. Weather changes, seasons come and go, yet the sun always rises, sets, and repeats without fail. We have moments in time where nothing can go wrong, and times when it’s all wrong, but really, most of the time, it’s really just right. I’m learning, every day, to bend and give more, embrace the hard as much as the easy, and remember there’s a purpose to each moment, even those blasted painful moments. Hug your parents and loved ones, cuddle those furbabies and human babies. Reach out to a neighbor, encourage a stranger with a compliment, and whistle or sing when a song pops into your brain. If mother nature can be on an emotional roller coaster, then we can too.
With Sunbeams and Love,
Racheal Xx
