Another month has come to an end. The promise of summer looms ahead and the robin sings in pure abandon. My bones soften in the sun’s warmth and I revel in the freedom of wearing sleeveless tops and sandals, instead of boots. Suddenly, green leaves are appearing on the trees, seemingly overnight. The world is awakening from its winter sleep.
The arrival of spring feels more precious this year, than I can recall from previous years. This year, it seems to be bringing with it, the awakening of humanity. A great number of people, due to the pandemic, are seeing the circle of life in a brand new way. Passivity for some, has given way to action. Turning away from those things that we would prefer not to see, is no longer an option. As David Bowie sung, we must, “turn and face the strange changes”.
These are strange times. Things will not return to “normal”. Indeed, what is normal? Life will be forever changed and a “new normal” will take its place. Adaptation is the key to weathering life’s changes. This is how some species have survived even through Earth’s several extinctions. Accepting the situation of the moment may be difficult for many, but resisting will only prolong and intensify their suffering.
Fortunately, it is springtime – a time of hope. We can be grateful that the pandemic did not bear down on us in the dead of winter (at least for those of us in North America). The sun is shining. We do not need to have a care in the world, unless we choose to. We can choose grace, instead. We can adapt. We can make the world a better place, one moment at a time.
