I get it. It's been a while since glorious, golden rays of sunshine have warmed us and sweetly serenaded our sleepy souls. Old man winter seems quite content to cover us with a white blanket of wonder. While at first most magical, snow makes us ache for all things spring.

I've often found it curious how Mother Nature knows when to remind the bulbs beneath the frozen soil to awaken, then bloom. The sweet, sweet cycle of life.

The past few years, just as the crocuses and daffodils were poised to blossom, it decided to snow. Disappointment runs rampant. Spring is not spring without my sweetly-scented flowers. This is my non-negotiable rule.

Soon enough, the snow melts and I find my fears were unfounded. There, patiently waiting, are my beautiful spring posies, unaffected by that one last, stubborn snowfall. Nature is so cool, in that way.

I love that, don't you?

This begs me to wonder; how long has it been winter in our souls? How many times have we sensed a spring renewal was upon us, only to be smothered by pain, anger, sadness and despondency? Where is the Mother Nature for our souls? Are we not entitled to the tenacity she bestowed upon those snow-covered blooms?

In short, we often overlook our spirit of resilience that dwells within us throughout all seasons. As you can read about in my soon-to-be released memoir, Room in the Heart; Surviving a Childhood Undone, Fulfilling a Pact to Love, we do have this spark within us that can and will ignite and warm our souls even in winter, if we allow it to. We really are made that way.

For countless seasons
many of us have stayed submerged. We all know that a tormented soul eventually becomes numb, giving up all hope of ever blooming again. We designate ourselves a "non-flowering plant," and allow the snow to cover us until we see no daylight...or hope. Neither morning nor night offers our souls sustenance. Nighttime stars stop sparkling and morning sunrises are only a faded photograph in sepia tones. Everything in-between becomes like books on a shelf; lines of spines, collecting dust, and standing still, year after year.

Tell me then; when was the last time you allowed yourself to accept the seasonal offerings that surround you? Have you allowed yourself to open your door during a snowfall and listen to the exquisite sound of the gentle tap of a snowflake settling? In early spring, have you noticed the birds busily building their nests, and heard them singing morning lullabies right outside your window? How about summer rain? Have you listened to it dance on your window sill then noticed how much greener the grass becomes after the rain has passed? Do you notice the leaves as they change color in autumn? Do you see the squirrels fill their chubby cheeks with nuts as they prepare for winter's furry?

How about we rethink this scenario? How about we dare to believe that maybe, just maybe, we are capable of overcoming obstacles and experiencing all we have missed from seasons past?

Where to begin? That's actually easy. Start small. Like the amazing uniqueness in snowflakes, there is no limit as to how and when we will endeavor to experience the magnificence of nature. Like spring flowers, pick and choose what you wish to fill your soul. I seek sunshine; rain makes me sleepy. On rainy days I stay inside and allow the sweet sound of rain on my roof to calm my soul. We are the farmers who tend our own fields. We decide what we will plant, and when the time is ripe to reap what we've sown. It can be what you want it to be, but realism must come into play here. Two summers ago my potato yield lasted us through the winter. This year I barely had enough for a pot of mashed potatoes. Last summer my garden was filled with peanut plants, yet we didn't end up with enough to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Rest assured, my family didn't come close to starving...

Who knows what next year will bring? What will you plant in your life that will bring you joy? Will you fill all your seasons with what gives you joy and solitude? Will you take the risk of opening the window of your soul to smell the rain and see the sunset?

We all should. There is no better day than today to begin.

And so, I leave you with these thoughts; you do matter. Your happiness is long overdue. Our abusers took away enough of our lives; we have so much catching up to do!

Here's to you and your happiness! From my heart to yours, I wish you many seasons of contentment and complacency. Your joys await you. That, I promise...