By Lisa Wellington | Lynnwood Times Contributor
The weather feels like a petulant child; tired, defiant, unsure of what it wants. One minute it is a gloriously sunny, edge of spring with blue skies kind of day. The next moment the sky is cranky with clouds spewing snow. Then just as quickly it is bright and breezy.
These seasonal transition times can feel awkward, but they give us a chance to remember to be flexible, agile, wear lots of layers.
The budding anticipation of Spring pulls us forward.
Let’s be mindful of transitions. Let the seasons remind us how we shift in life.
Do we move seamlessly as our work, relationships, social connections, and environment change? Do we resist too much, argue with life, and stomp our feet? Or are we agile, accepting, embracing the ambiguity of life, using our energy to be present to the here and now and preparing thoughtfully and earnestly for the future?
Holding the tension of the seasons, moving with the flow of life and taking the time to observe what is happening without judgement is a mindfulness practice.
March’s invitations:
- Ground yourself by paying attention to nature: the budded leaves and flowers starting to open, the still cool breezes, the smell of the earth when permeated by rain (petrichor).
- Finish up those winter projects and reflect on your accomplishments. Review your hibernation reflections and activities.
- Focus on self-care that supports a healthy cadence and rhythm in your life. Think: food, hydration, exercise, and sleep. Nourish yourself during this transition. Begin the release of your winter storage.
Lisa Wellington is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher who writes about integrative practices that downshift stress, increase insight, and jumpstart joy.
She is best known for her work with law enforcement professionals as well as those challenged by housing instability and addiction. Trained in the Fine Arts at Washington State University, she specializes in group training that engages participants’ inherent creativity.
If she is not under a stack of books about psychology and spirituality, she can be found at a Puget Sound beach or nearby trail, always searching for the absurd, which is her superpower.
