Make Room for the New

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want—oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! 
Mark Twain

Spring has come, and the sunshine reveals the dust that has been gathering all winter long. If too much dust has settled on your things, there’s probably dust settling on your life as well. If your living space is feeling cluttered and confined, it’s time to move, clean, and clear out to make room for something new. 

One particularly effective way to make your life simpler is to clear your living space of clutter, creating an atmosphere of peaceful calm instead of chaos and disorder. As you clean and clear, decide what you want to keep and where you want to keep it. Release those things that no longer serve you. 

Simple surroundings take advantage of clean lines and natural beauty. Instead of a welter of small knicknacks, consider replacing them with an elegant bonsai plant or a single treasured antique artistically displayed. Timeless simplicity soothes the spirit, creating an oasis of calm in a busy life. 

This holds true not only for your external home, but also for the inner heart. As you sort and rearrange furnishings, you can do the same with your thoughts. Do a little housekeeping of the soul. Sweep out old prejudices and throw open the windows of your mind to receive the fresh breezes of the new things God wants to bring into your life. 

It was such a spring day as breathes into a man an ineffable yearning, a painful sweetness, a longing that makes him stand motionless, looking at the leaves or grass, and fling out his arms to embrace he knows not what. 
John Galsworthy

Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm. 
John Muir

The deep roots never doubt spring will come. 
Marty Rubin

I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees. 
Pablo Neruda 

Right now I’m in the midst of sorting and cleaning and creating something new. I’m working on an upgraded website with more bells and whistles. I have also been out taking photos. Spring comes and goes so fast in Nashville that you have to catch it before it passes. I include a gorgeous photo of the fragrant Star Magnolia, which comes in early spring and can be especially fleeting if a cold snap happens. I made it out to Cheekwood just in time to see the magnolias in magnificent perfect jewel-like bloom. Three days later they were all toast, thanks to another cold front coming down from the north. Now the tender spring flowers have passed and we’re moving into warmer temperatures. My photos will remind me of those perfect spring days when magnolia, tulip, daffodil, cherry, apple, and other spring blossoms emerged after a long cold winter. 

I recently started writing columns on Linked In that help you treat work as spiritual practice. Here is the link to my posts. 
https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/50527730

I also just added a Facebook Author page. Come and “like” me and enjoy this new way to connect. 
https://www.facebook.com/CandyPaullauthor

More good things are in the works. It’s good to be back writing this blog again.