Invite Spring In!

Invite Spring In!
By Dona Anderson

 

Published in Island Gals, 2013 Volume 3 Issue 1

 

Spring is my new favorite time of year to observe and celebrate each new beginning. 

I love spring on Vancouver Island as it offers us such a long and gradual season of change that fills me with feelings of freshness and rejuvenation, and even invites us to put a little spring into our steps.  We get lots of time to connect to open spaces and to look forward to the pleasures and rewards of a new year.

 

I thought the best way for me to share this with you is through a short meditation that welcomes a few of my treasures of spring and I hope you’ll like them as well.  It begins by simply connecting you with your breath by noticing your next few inhales followed by your exhales … get comfortable, soften your eyes, and take a few minutes to ease into noticing each part of the breath.

Become aware that the inhalation is to receive, the exhalation is to release and let go … slowly soften throughout your body and gently begin to lengthen each part of the breath slightly as you breathe … can you also start to notice where you feel the breath expanding and then releasing within your body …

As you become more relaxed and comfortable bring to focus your next few inhales only and invite into each one the freshness and rejuvenation of spring.

 

 Let your warm spring breaths also bring in feelings of peace, kindness, and compassion …

 

Slowly move your focus now to your exhales … notice and celebrate where you start to let go of the breath, where you let go of any stress or tension you may be holding, and where you come back to feelings of open spaces being left behind.

 

Let the focus on your breath go now and give yourself permission to just rest and become even more comfortable … can you feel your body both receiving and releasing … can you feel your body and mind both softly letting go … can you feel spaces starting to open up to invite spring in …

 

This spring, smile as you wake up to the sun rises filling your home with soft morning light.

 

As new flowers begin to bloom absorb all their beauty, colors, and soothing fragrances.

 

Listen to the birds joyful songs of celebration as they return to begin again.

 

Embrace the blossoms of the trees as their gifts to you and the world.

 

Feel the freshness of soft drops of warm rain on your face.

 

Notice your smiles are gifts that connect you with the present moment.

 

Breathe in and let gratitude fill your whole body with inner peace.

 

And this spring, maybe you can release a few layers of old thoughts and habits and create space to invite in simplicity, ease, calm, and softness.

 

Now close your eyes and simply rest for a few more minutes.

 

                                            Namaste.