‘Tis the month of the four-leaf clovers, green beer and a tipsy remembrance to good old Saint Patrick who apparently wasn’t even Irish at all.
It’s the time of year when the bitter, miserable winter finally loosens its grip and surrenders to spring. The sun burns with more power, melting the layers of ice and snow leaving behind mushy grass and mud. Each gust of wind carries a delightful aroma of manure; ah the familiar smell of spring!
March is like the bubbly excitable friend of February who occasionally forgets to wear deodorant (hence the smell of manure). He’s playful and goofy; constantly trying to cheer up his grumpy old friend, February. February is a cynic who has been destroyed by a broken heart and has lost all faith in humanity. He is dark and condescending and his depressing mood fills every room he enters. But March is not interested in his pessimism, he has a whole lot of work to do to get spring going. So March bounces in, turning all the lights on and opening all the windows, leaving February fumbling and squinting from the light.
This, of course, is the Canadian version of March. In Australia, March is a different story. I’m reluctant to admit we’re now entering into Autumn. No matter where I am in the world, the end of summer always feels like heartbreak. I’m never ready for it, I just want her to stay around forever. I love how carefree and playful she is, winter is far too serious and somber for me.
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, pfft, winter in Australia. Well, it may not get Canada cold but I can assure you it does get cold. In fact, it gets freezing and there is no insulation in houses so there’s never really a chance to let your guard down. In my last house, I pretty much wore a jacket 24/7.
On the bright side, the descent into winter is much slower than it is in Canada. I intend to take full advantage of every last morsel of warm weather while it lasts.
Whether you live in the northern hemisphere or south, here are a few quotes that have inspired me. I hope they do the same for you.
“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.”
– Yoko Ono
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“When we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
– Marianne Williamson
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“Churches are good for prayer, but so are cars and mountains and showers and dance floors.”
– Anne Lamott
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“Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain, and still succeed.”
– Misty Copeland
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Art Therapy with Kimberly 