“Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.” ~ Chinese Proverb

Have you looked outside lately?

Things are changing. Nature is re-awakening. It’s such a wonderful time of year.

For us, a simple walk outside hints at so much Life starting to outstretch its hands, reaching beyond that melting snow for the warming sun: Spring’s daffodils are poking out; strawberry plants blaze green under their winter blanket of straw; even the yellow, matted lawn hints at its soon-to-tickle-your-toes self.

You can even hear it in the air: The morning bird songs are back, riding along the gentle breeze, heralding in the earlier sunrises. Before long, the robin will be poking at the warm, dew-covered ground for its morning meal. Looking out further out and we’re given the extra-special treat of the oriole passing through around Mother’s Day.

Even after the sun has long-since set, the signs are there: Venturing out at night and looking up, Orion is shifting in the southern sky moving higher as the Earth shifts its tilt closer to the sun; all his fellow constellations joining him in this galactic gallop of sorts.

What better time to begin (or get back on) the path to simplicity, retuning ourselves to the natural rhythms of Life. Using Nature’s ebb and flow as simple reminders to slow down and be mindful of all that goes on outside our door; marking the changing of the seasons with a changing of our own lives.

Consider that generations ago, before clocks were baked into every single gadget we own, people used Nature’s signs to begin and end many activities: When to plant and harvest certain crops; when to celebrate and give thanks; when to journey to greener pastures.

So while we’re about to complete the semi-annual right of seasonal passage (changing our clocks for Daylight Savings Time), we should instead head outside and let Nature be our guide for springing back into a routine of simple, vibrant living. Here are some things you can do to help with that:

• Use sunrise or sunset as the time of day where you practice quiet reflection and contemplation
• Give yourself the time to enjoy your morning coffee or tea outside
• Go for a walk after dinner
• Start a small garden of cutting flowers and/or your favorite vegetables
• Commit to one no-TV day per week and spend that time outside
• Challenge your kids to a stone skipping contest at the local beach
• Volunteer at a local farm
• Start your weekend with a hike through the woods
• Take the kids out to watch the stars and learn a few of those constellations
• Dust off that bike for a ride around the neighborhood – or even to the store
• Bring back the big Sunday family meal (with some locally grown food, of course)
• Instead of sitting in front of your computer at lunch, find a quiet spot outside and begin a journal

One of the best parts of letting Nature be our backdrop for simplicity is that in most situations it doesn’t cost a thing! You don’t need a lot of gadgets and gizmos to get you to that place of contentment. On the contrary, all you need to do most times is show up and just be. Open yourself to your senses; forget about your to-do list for a while; turn off the phones and iPods. Nature does a great job taking it from there.

What are some of the things you’re doing to simplify this spring? Anything you love doing outside this time of year that helps you to slow down and savor life more? I’d love to hear about it!

Be well,
Bill

If you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you would share it with your circle using Twitter or Facebook. While you’re here, you might also enjoy these posts:

• 33 Simple Things to Get You Reconnected With Nature
• 16 Simple Ways to Practice Mindful Consumption in a Hyper-Consumer World
• What Three Days in the Wilderness Will Teach You About Life

[image: Bienenwabe]