Inner Peace: Enjoying the Little Things

There is a cycle to trees: their growth and decline, their unfolding and then letting go. I have watched the many types of trees in our part of the world. Some trees and shrubs are junipers, and they keep their dusty green color throughout the year. The Ponderosa pines lose part of their needles and have new growth on the tips of the branch. After turning red, gold and orange, deciduous trees lose their leaves every autumn, then come back to life after winter. Aspens lose their golden rounded leaves and turn brown, only to return the next year in their green finery.

Some trees are quicker to bud out than others. Apple and peach trees blossom out in their lovely pink and white colors. Others begin to unfold slowly, continuing in a slow process of maturing. Some leaves begin to bud, only to be caught in cold snaps, frosts and snow. Following that disruption, the leaves stubbornly and strongly return to leaf out. While other branches do not even have the energy to grow. Particular branches never make it past winter. They wither and die, leaving more life energy for other branches to continue to grow.

I think my life is much the same. As winter comes, I tend to hibernate and cocoon within. Yes, I walk in the early morning with MacDuff. But much of my time is spent considering the prior year, what I have learned and what I could do differently.

As springtime comes, my mind slowly unfolds. Some of the ideas and concepts I considered over the winter begin to unfurl, just as some of the trees start to bud. As the days grow longer, my thoughts are energized. I start to clear out my house and clean out the excess I gathered up over the quiet season. I am readying myself for growth and change.

I also realize my time is limited. Just as with trees, I have to prune my list and let some projects go for now. Some ideas that seemed so promising over the winter are not holding up in the bright light of a spring day. As the spring days take hold, I may develop new ideas. Perhaps I am inspired to return to the gym. Or make it a point to keep in touch with friends and family. Time passes all too quickly. I don’t want to miss any opportunities.

Another leaf that begins to bud is to take some more time for myself. Do you need more “me time” too? It could be sitting on the porch, appreciating the beauty of the Mountain. Or taking a hike on my favorite trail. For some, it might be fishing on one of the many lakes here. It might even be taking a nap in the warm spring sunlight. Absolutely luxurious.

It has been said the average person has 30,000 days in his or her life. Where are you on that spectrum? In the middle? The beginning? The end? As your life unfolds this spring, I wish you happy contentment noticing how your life unfolds, wherever you are.

I hope I have opened the door to enjoying the little things here on the Mountain and in your life.

[divider style=”icon-center” border=”small” icon=”leaf” width=”50%”]Bringing over 30 years of experience to her practice, Joan is a highly qualified NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist. She specializes in anxiety, panic attacks, fears, and phobias, using her knowledge to help her clients become no-limit people. Many have found her friendly ways and precise techniques to be the easiest road toward a better life.