Spring’s almost here, time for making a fresh start
Sometimes, it feels like people use any excuse for a fresh start. For example, to many of us, the start of school each fall marks the beginning of the year. Since we were children — and especially once we had children of our own — new routines, new schedules and new goals marked the beginning of the school year, like a fresh start.
Even with the children grown and out of the house, that time of year still means new schedules, new routines and new goals. After all, summer is ending, and lifestyle changes happen every fall.
But then, we have New Year’s Day when the calendar truly marks the beginning of a year. It’s another opportunity for a fresh start, and many of us take advantage of it. The holidays are over, and our lives can get back to normal, whatever that is. And, of course, the new year is touted as a time to make resolutions and improve our lives. Many of us, as we clean up, clean out and put away the remnants of the holiday, we plan and reorganize ways to be more efficient and make our lives better.
Then, along comes spring and another fresh start. An argument could be made for this being the best time for new beginnings. After all, plants begin their growing cycles, the trees grow leaves again, and our lawns turn green. New growth is everywhere as the flowers bloom and the sun shines longer each day. It’s also time to be outside and enjoy the warm weather and cease the hibernating that somewhat occurs during the winter.
So, spring becomes another time for new beginnings, another time for reorganizing and new goals. It’s another opportunity to hit the proverbial re-set button and make spring cleaning more about cleaning out the figurative cobwebs than the literal ones.
As the calendar changes from winter to spring this week, let’s look at it as more than just an increase in chores as yard work begins again, children’s activities ramp up, and spring holidays and activities abound. Let’s look at it as truly a time of renewal, a time to enjoy another season of watching life come back to our desert.
It’s easy to picture the laughter, shouts and joy of children playing outside as we picture spring. It’s easy to look at spring as a time of optimism when — with a little luck — the laughter, shouts and joy will expand to adults also.
Soon enough, we will be reminded of the spring winds that are not our favorite part of the season, nor are we overly fond of the accompanying dust that fills the air in our desert landscape. We can’t really claim that paying taxes is all that much fun, and we know a lot of children and young adults who don’t find studying for finals their favorite part of the year. So spring is not perfect, but it can still be a joyous season.
This weekend we can recuperate from the switch to Daylight Saving Time or recuperate from too much St. Patrick’s Day, but we can also enjoy the first of spring. The fresh start that is spring, and the excitement, the optimism, the sunshine and the outdoors make it a great time of the year. Enjoy, and don’t worry about spring cleaning.