By Wendy Trunz
The beauty of spring brings feelings of renewed hope, energy and excitement. It’s a time to believe again in new beginnings and see growth. It’s a time when the days stay brighter for a longer amount of time, the fresh air smells sweeter, nature’s beauty is bursting forth outside, and an expectant joy is bursting from within us.
As the days get brighter, we all want to feel lighter.
After a long winter, those first signs of crocuses and daffodils blooming brings a smile and a hopeful filling of the soul. Anticipation builds each day as we continue to see the magnificent blooming of cherry blossoms, magnolia trees, bright yellow forsythia, hot pink azalea bushes and so many colors radiating from flowers everywhere.
The colors get bolder, the sun shines brighter, the birds sing louder, the sky seems bluer, and as nature bursts forth… people and families seem to burst out of their homes to play, walk, ride bikes, and look to gather more and more together.
The beauty, awe and majesty of spring each year is a result of all the seeds that were planted, sown and scattered months and even years before. Seeds that took root, weathered the storms and continued to multiply.
We plant seeds with the expectation of seeing and enjoying beautiful growth, as well as reaping a harvest.
The seeds we plant every single day, inside or outside produce a growing, thriving harvest if we tend to them…not only the seeds planted in the ground, but more importantly the seeds planted in hearts and minds, in our everyday habits, in our lives, relationships, and in our homes.
Where is the area of growth that you would like to see bloom in your life this year.. or in the years to come? Are you planting those seeds yet, or are they still sitting in the seed packet? Do you need a fresh packet of seeds with a few ideas to lighten and brighten your life and your home this spring? As the world feels lighter and brighter outside, it’s the perfect time to make your home lighter and brighter inside.
Here’s a little “ Lighter and Brighter Seeds” packet that you can open and scatter into the various areas of your life and home. (Caution: These little seeds of wisdom, once scattered, just may take root, multiply, and become ever blooming!)…
5 Ways to Feel Lighter as the days get Brighter
1. Lighter clothing and closets
*Coat Closet/Mudroom- Go thru all coats, wash or send to dry cleaners. All outgrown or unwanted coats place in bag for donation.
*Match all gloves, hats and scarves and place in basket or bins per family member. All ready and organized for next season. Donate all unwanted items
*Swap out your fall and winter clothes for spring and summer clothes
*Put all boots away and take out your sandals and flip-flops!
2. Lighter pantry and refrigerator
*Pull out all food from pantries, drawers and refrigerator. Check all expiration dates and discard as needed.
*Donate fresh unwanted food to a food pantry or a friend in need
*Defrost your freezer as needed and wipe out
*Wipe out all shelves and drawers. Freshen up with new drawer liners if needed
*Fill your kitchen with all the fruit and veggies now in season.
*Eating lighter and brighter foods fuel you to feel lighter and brighter
3. Brighter decor
*Swap out heavy fabrics and colors- lighten up your bedding. Put away flannel and fleece blankets. Replace with light and bright bedding
*Swap out heavy pillows and draperies and replace with lighter textures
*Use delicious bright fruits or lemons in a gorgeous bowl as a centerpiece
4. Brighter Lighting
*String lights around your backyard or porch or throughout your sunroom or even in bedrooms
*Set up fire pit to gather outside with friends and family
*Light citrus or floral candles throughout your home or use remote control artificial lighting/candles
*Light up an essential oil machine and let the beautiful aroma fill your home and soul.
5. Lighter and brighter home
*Clean your windows, vacuum your screens, open the windows and let the fresh air inside!
*Pull the shades all the way up so the sun streams in
*Bring in nature from outside- cut flowers, branches, pussy willows, daffodils, tulips, hydrangeas, sea glass, shells and beautiful stones and rocks. Make arrangements for your home, and drop off some brightening the homes and lives of others.
These are just a few of our favorite seeds to plant into your heart and mind, to scatter into the areas you need help with…to lighten and brighten your home and life for this spring season. Remember that planting, growing, sowing and reaping happen all year long. There is always growth happening, even when we can’t see it.
So in this spring time of renewed hope, growth and expectant joy…enjoy the abundant beauty growing from all the seeds previously sown, by you or by others… continue planting the little seeds in the areas of your life where you would love to see even more growth. Remember, the seeds you plant and tend to, are the seeds that grow.
Plant seeds of love, joy, faith, hope and patience…and that’s what grows. Plant and tend to seeds of healthy living…and that is what you will produce. Plant and tend to those little habits that will grow into a meaningful, abundant lifestyle in your home and with all of your loved ones.
It’s the little things that nobody sees, that leads to the big things everybody wants. Just keep doing, planting and tending to the little, yet most important things.
Those seeds will all multiply, and you will eventually see growth. And the beauty, like spring, that bursts forth and blossoms at the perfect time, will continue to take your breath away… and leave you in complete awe.
