Springtime Lessons for Vibrant Living
The mud, slosh, and muck of March and April are behind us. As the reward for our perseverance, May is bursting forth inspiring awe and wonder!
It is truly striking. The bright light green of new buds, spreading up the hillsides, is a wonder that can be savored for only a few short days. Flowers begin blooming, and we are joyful, encouraged, and refreshed. And, ahhh, the unadulterated pleasure of opening our windows, letting the springtime air fill our spaces. In Vermont, we particularly appreciate this change of season for its energy and optimism!
Despite all that they have been through, our daffodils’ smiles and bright “demeanor” persist. That is optimism! These bright flowers remind us to stay connected to motivating, pleasurable activities in our lives, and to focus our thinking on the positive — the wonderful possibilities in our work and in our lives. Martin Seligman, Ph.D., author of the book, Learned Optimism, reassures even the most pessimistic among us, that, like the daffodils gracing our gardens, we have an enduring capacity for hope and optimism.
As we individually “blossom,” we typically don’t do so in isolation. Like many of our spring bloomers (ie., clumps of daffodils, irises, tulips, etc.), we too flourish and find fulfillment in community with others. We are nourished and fulfilled, in part, through philanthropic endeavors, and our giving of ourselves to others as we respond to the question: “How might I make a difference in a way that is important to me?” We are empowered by acting on our passions in ways that have real impact. These experiences alter our growth, encourage our “blossoming,” and create powerful shifts in how we operate in the world.
So often our passions include our individual character strengths that are “of the heart:” zest, gratitude, hope and love (Chris Peterson, Primer of Positive Psychology). Think of all the parallels with our spring flowers in bloom! Energy abounds, both above and below the surface. There is resolution of hope in every plant and its resplendent blossoms. Love is expressed in the relationship and balance of the varied flowers’ colors and complementary beauty. Gratitude is shown in the gentle bows of their stems in soft breezes. We are greatly empowered by our intentional acts of gratitude:
- sharing a note of gratitude with someone important to us
- writing a list of (at least 3) things that went well in a day (and why)
- writing a short story about a time you were at your best (then read that story every day for a week).
Our delightful spring blossoms survived the challenges of hard rains, even snow at times, fluctuating temperatures, and chilling winds. Likewise, in our journeys for fulfillment — in our quest to bloom — we face adversity and have to rely on persistence, hardiness, along with our drive to be our most authentic, real, powerful, beautiful selves. Absorb May’s energy and thrive in being your most vibrant self!
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Deb Chisholm brings her wisdom about the world of education and her passionate commitment to learners of all kinds, to transforming the school experience. She works with leaders in education to foster the development of school based coaching cultures which realize the value of relationships, access and honor the wisdom and expertise of colleagues, and tap into the power of community.