Page 9 - Leisure Living Magazine Spring 2019

The Season Of Spiritual Renewal
By Elizabeth Roth, Feature Writer
Against grey winter skies, black-barked ma- ple branches crisscross each other, seeming to reach upwards, perhaps in hopes of seeing sun- shine once again. A few snowflakes straggle down among them, each a reminder that Winter still has time to leave its frosty footprint on all of nature here in frozen Northern Ohio. Spring, that blessed season of transition, renewal and warmth, will come soon, but for now we bide our time, watch, and wait.
“Snowbirds” left long ago for sunny shores, but others of us burrow deep under quilts and pour over seed catalogues. We paint bird houses or replenish feeders with seeds for the snowy days remaining. We stock pantries with nectar for Bal- timore Orioles and hummingbirds soon to arrive from the South. Hikers watch for the first har- bingers of spring, wild flowers and hardy plants that peek through the snow. People starved for green and color throng to garden shows when weather between storms permits travel. Winter has brought with it challenges such as the dark- er days, lower temps and decreased socialization. Winter’s length alone fuels a natural desire for Spring. We want to come out from under our heavy quilts and breathe fresh, clean air again, but not only does “Cabin Fever” take its toll on bodies, but on spirits.
Spiritual renewal is important to our health and can take the form of a surge of religious com- mitment, or not, depending on our orientation. Naturalists revel in the change of temperature, flora and fauna that signals an uplifted spirit, too, and new birth. The Christian liturgical calendar points toward Easter, for Jews toward Purim and the Passover, for Muslims Ramadan, and for oth- ers similar calendar-based holy days. We look forward to a period of repentance, prayer and self-discipline as we shed the darkness of our needy selves and look again toward the light of faith.
As I have aged I have begun to seriously value each day as a gift of life. I appreciate the natural rhythms of my world, the ebb and flow of inspi- ration that operates in my mind, body and spirit. There can be dry periods, much like a drought without rainfall, but if I wait with patience and
Spiritual renewal is important to our health.
relax with trust through it, I see that it passes and, within time, my energy returns. In fact, perhaps because of this resting time, it returns with gus- to and a burst of energy that surprises me much like the first blooms of forsythia lighting up the hedges with brilliant yellow each Spring. It blows through me like the winds of March that buffet Lake Erie’s waves and churn its sand, deposit- ing Lucky Stone treasures and all colors of beach glass along the shore.
I’m one of those odd creatures who absolute- ly fall in love with all seasons here in Ohio. As an artist I find pristine beauty in the shades of lav- ender and blue, hues of grey and brown, contrast of black against white of our winter, however I am glad for the gradual signs of Spring that be- gin now to show themselves in the landscape. As each pops into sight, I think of how much delight the Creator of our miraculous world must have in seeing our reaction to them all. It is my belief that He gives a nod to our spirits and, knowing how much the world needs love, sends these without fail as Spring love letters to each of our hearts.
Happy Spring, Easter and renewed spirit to you!
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