Color Me Butterfly

Each spring, I’ve always been one to confuse whether to set my clock one hour ahead or one hour back.  It wasn’t until the expression ‘spring forward’ resonated with me that I was able to understand that spring forward meant moving the clock one hour forward.  As well, I’ve come to use this time not only to change my clocks but to also assess whether I’m springing forward with my life.

Each year when I hear that it’s time to spring forward, I immediately pull out my journal and reflect on all the goals I’d set for the year.  I do an assessment on whether I’d sprung forward with any of my goals – if I have put an action plan behind my life’s purpose, passion or dreams.  This has proven to work well for me because it forces me to pause and reassess me.  To spring forward is not just about moving the dial on my clock, but moving forward with my life.

Establishing life goals is very exciting.  But with the daily mundane tasks of just ‘living’ and the countless things that ‘get in our way,’ there’s no wonder it’s sometimes hard to stick to our goals.  Someone once asked me:  If you knew you only had 30 days to live, would you continue with your life on the same path?  My answer:  Heck No!  I’d spend less time worrying about the miniscule stuff – what others think, my bills, my job, the daily rumble and jumble of life – and more time enjoying it!  

When it’s time to spring forward, I become excited about resetting both my digital clock and my life clock.  I’ve come to regard my clock as a ticking momentous to remind me of every precious moment.  After all, we’ve only got one thing for certain left on this earth and that, my dears, is nothing more than . . . TIME.

Judy Camollese
Claremont, New Hampshire

There's an old saying that goes April showers brings May flowers.  Although an analogy for nature, I consider it as well an analogy for life.
 
On the way to our best life, much “fall out” is experienced.  Fall outs that challenge the best in us, challenge us to believe, challenge us to go on.  We would do well to remember that when these problems pour upon us, we are in the midst of those April showers, in the midst of growing our May flowers – in the midst of growing ourselves.
 
Growing flowers is impossible without rain.  When we grow our ‘best life gardens’, we often experience torrential fallouts.  I, for one, am in the midst of building a business and rebuilding my life.  There are numerous places to be, people to see.  There are emails and endless documents.  And bills, bills, and more bills.  Yet, a part of me knows that I'm growing something great – something that sees through the torrential rains to the clarity of my purpose.
 
I've begun a regiment of inspiring, uplifting practices that I regard as my 'raingear'.  Not only do these practices shield me from rainy days, but they also impassion me to persevere.  I use as much 'raingear' as possible to buffer daily cloudbursts.  I take vitamins and get my rest.  I read inspirational literature and keep a journal.  I pray and meditate.  I take time out for play.  This 'raingear' guards me from getting soaked in the downpours of disappointment, discouragement and down falls. 
 
How are you weathering your April showers?  Are you remembering your 'raingear'?  Are you remembering the self-care that steadies you, the support that lights your way, the spiritual nurturing that keeps you going?  Are you remembering that in growing something great, you are also growing yourself?  Your attitudes and your actions?
 
Nowadays, I'm looking forward to May.  I'm visualizing a future full of beautiful gardens as far as the eye can see.  On the way, I know the clouds will burst and the rains will come and there may be an occasional downpour.  Nonetheless, I will hold my head up high, grab my raingear and make a beautiful, sun-shining rainbow.

Sherry Alice Parker
Columbia, SC

The apple not falling far from the tree is a metaphor used to describe family traits, attitudes and beliefs.  Lessons that our families taught us – lessons that we sometimes rebel against.  But as I grow older, curiously enough, I find myself even sounding like 'those people'.
 
When we were younger, how many of us have said we would never be like our parents?  Parents who we often questioned their line of thinking and thought were ‘out of their minds.’  And, we found every opportunity to tell them so.  “You don't understand”, we lamented.  ”My friends aren't doing that”, we countered.  “You're just being mean”, we argued.  Manipulation tactics to stump parental truth were futile.  Temper tantrums didn't provoke them.  Bartering didn't incite them.  Silence didn't melt them. 
 
My mother was a dynamic diva whom to this day I often mimic.  She managed a business and a household with seemingly unrelenting efficiency and energy.  Her twin credos were preparation and commitment.  Mom took every opportunity to pass on those credos to me. “Sheila, if you do this now, you won't have to worry about that tomorrow”.  “Sheila, finish this, then you can have that.”  “Sheila, handle this first and it will prepare you for ‘that’ next.”  Being an all-knowing adolescent, I sometimes received mom's stable instructions as intrusions on my independence.  But actually, mom was teaching me how to be free.  She was giving me the keys to perfect my purpose.  She was instilling what would bring me closer to my joy. 
 
My father had more lofty and expansive beliefs.  Dad challenged me to challenge myself.  He demanded that I excel at school with nothing short of A’s, that I nurture my talents.  He spoke of world travel, endless opportunities.  “Sheila, the world is full of culture that I want you to know.”  “Sheila, you can do whatever you want with an education.”  “Sheila, you will someday own a big gorgeous house.”  I perceived dad’s pleas as nagging and pushing me unnecessarily.  To the contrary, I later learned that my father was nurturing my highest visions for life, motivating my ambition, moving me toward all that I deserved.  Dad opened my eyes to possibilities for growth, gain, and grandeur.
 
Today, I consider 'those people' - my parents – as the two most brilliant people I have ever known.  My mother gave me the tools to lay a strong foundation for life - PERSERVERE.  My father gave me the buildings blocks of success - AIM HIGH.   I celebrate them both daily in word, thought, and deed.  My parents were not only raising a child but building a dream.  Because of these ‘wonderful people', I am in the midst of my best life in everyway; and, I am forever grateful.
 
So, you parents who feel like the apples are forever falling far from the tree, even rolling down the wrong road - take heart.  As your love is never far away from us, we – your children, are never far away from you.  We do remember your words and your wisdom.  And hopefully, we can carry your legacy forward as graciously as you have planted the seed.
 
Sheila Martinez
Albuquerque, New Mexico