Signs of Spring
The season of rebirth and renaissance.
February seems a little early for the peeper frogs, but they are peeping, nevertheless. My hens have started laying in full force again, and the Canada geese have returned, fussing and fighting over mates and territory.
Every day, at least once a day, I go walking with our 6-month-old beagle puppy, Mattie, and our yellow tabby cat, Dandelion. Mattie, of course, is curious about everything - crawdad holes, tufts of grass, birds flying, sticks, and stones. I imagine, for a beagle, the world is full of new scents and smells right now. And, as this is her first spring, I find myself picking up on some of her appreciation of the newness. All the things I take for granted, she finds interesting and amazing.
I wonder, as she lifts her nose to sniff the air, what the breeze is sharing with her. Around here, early spring brings the scent of horse manure, but not yet the earthy smell of the soil.
Lately, I have felt the Universe/God teaching me about timing. I would say teaching me patience, but the concept is much bigger than that. It’s the difference between letting things happen and making things happen. It’s the difference between living in the future (with worry and attempts to control the outcome), and living in the present, here and now.
I’m a bulldozer. I’m a make things happen kind of girl. I can see the future, and work to get ahead of it. I like to plan and be prepared. They say God laughs at our plans, and I’ve been getting a good dose of that lately.
“Not now,” is the message for the present. When the Universe doesn’t line up with my current attempts, throws challenges and complications in the way, I’m learning not to force it. I can take a breath, walk away, and try again later. Not now doesn’t mean no, it simply means the timing isn’t right.
“Not yet,” is a message for the future. It’s a message that everything will come together in time, if I let it. Again, not forcing it, simply allowing it to come together in its own time.
Early spring is the same. Although the peepers seem demanding, “now, now, now,” I know at least three frosts will come once they start their calling. Each frost comes to tell them, “Not now.”
But the warm days, thawed mud, and growing hours of daylight tell them what’s coming. They’re excited, ready to mate, and lay eggs. But the colder temperatures, the bits of freezing rain and snow tell them, “Not yet.” The eggs will not survive the season — yet.
How silly we are to think that we can control the future. We can plan, push, dream, hope, and fight every step of the way. Our culture teaches us that this is the American Dream. Work hard, remain dedicated, nose to the grindstone, and we will succeed. As a Gen Xer, I am from the generation that knows better. I know the work ethic and dedication of the generations before me, the sense of duty, and community. But I also know, very well, the devastation of 9/11, the bursting tech bubble, the War in Afghanistan, the Covid pandemic, recessions, and more. Now, we have Russia invading Ukraine.
Every time Gen X has had a chance to get ahead, the Universe said, “Not now.” I like to think that the pandemic has changed our luck. I like to think the Universe is telling my generation, “Now. Now you can do your thing.”
I am enthralled with the current Great Resignation. It’s as though the Universe has finally informed the workforce, “You can do better, this isn’t all there is for you.” Finally, we’re getting the “now” we’ve been waiting for.
I love that feeling. The feeling that there is more, there is better, there is hope and opportunity and possibility. I also love the underlying lesson I’ve been presented with, I can let it happen. I can plan, I can dream, but I don’t have to force it. I don’t have to bend the energies of the Universe to my will. (That’s exhausting by the way.)
Spring, my current lessons on timing, and the present moment have given me some faith. The forgotten generation is about to be remembered. We’re stepping up to improve ourselves and our communities. We’re tired of the status quo, the way things have always been done.
The pandemic has changed our world. It has changed us, personally and culturally. It has been tough, but I think this is a good thing. How have you changed? Have you changed? What lessons has this experience taught you?
Join me. Join me in welcoming the future and letting it unfold to our benefit. Share the Two-Lane Renaissance. Let’s see what awaits us.
Lisa
NOTE: Our “Renaissance Talk” and “Two-Lane Meditation” podcasts are currently in production. These multi-media features will be available to paid subscribers only. Also, only paid subscribers are able to comment on the website.
The Renaissance Online – Additional magazine content posted this week:
Shining Light on the Sunshine Law – Also Known as the Open Meetings Act
Submissions - We’re now accepting Letters to the Editor, Local News & Events, and columnists.
Sponsored Content –
Are you Ready to Break Free? Bed & Breakfasts are Waiting for You.
From the Two-Lane Livin’ Archives –
When Two-Lane Livin’ Was Born – Lisa’s column, from the very first issue of Two-Lane Livin’ Magazine.
Let’s Talk About Socks – by Judy Wolfram
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