Though it may be a little hard to tell if you are living in Southern California like me, spring is definitely in the air. Longer days, kids spring break approaching, and more spring outfits (despite a cold spell!) are all signs of change.
While there are many poetic notions of spring and renewal, for me renewal begins in a very practical way — getting my expenses and taxes organized! As I review the past year and think about the new one, I generally find myself making new commitments, assurances and intents around financial planning.
The longer days and warmer breezes (albeit only slightly warmer in LA) also lead to a motivation to renew physically — through exercise, a new haircut, a change in wardrobe… And a desire to clean house and get organized in general.
This week on Intent, our Intent Voices will be exploring great ideas on renewing ourselves: renew, refresh, recharge, refuel, re-invent—you name it. For many of us, the spring season is an inspiration for some major housecleaning. But maybe it can be as simple as getting a new haircut and a facial. Or maybe it can be as momentous as considering a new hobby, a new career, a new life goal. The sky is the limit!
Here are some ways I like to renew whenever I need a quick energy lift (and have the time!):
* Going for an afternoon jog
* Reading magazines outside my usual fields of interest to pique my imagination
* Reconnecting with an old friend on the phone
* Visiting a new museum or park with my kids
* Cleaning my closets, my bookshelves and distributing my clothes and books to cousins, friends and organizations.
I invite all of you on Intent to write about your ideas for how you renew or recharge yourself. Tag your posts “spring renewal” and we will be featuring the best blog posts at the end of the week. Many spring blessings to all of you!
About Mallika Chopra
Mallika is Tara and Leela's mom. She's written two books inspired by them - 100 Promises to My Baby and 100 Questions from Her Child.
She started Intent to realize her personal intention to connect with others by sharing and listening to each others stories.
new relationship if applicable
Thanks for the reminder, Mallika. I adore Spring! As a child in upstate New York, I loved walking through the woods as the flowers and trees showed me their renewal each day. Here in Florida, the longer days are a welcome change into the new season.
Spring is definitely a good time to contemplate what's next, as well as to regenerate and breathe new life into what's already going on. Recognizing and honoring the cycles of nature, I become more easy with the cycles of my own life.
i look forward to reading the posts. my life needs lots of renewal! :S
For me I re-committed to my career & also doing a physical cleansing of the body!
Hi Mallika,
Very good intentions for a renewall.Now I 'll joke.we renew something old ,you are such a lovely young lady ,what do you have to renew? Your phsychology perhaps?
Anyway we all love Spring ,the regeneration of Mother Earth. I intend to clean my house in detail,open all the doors and windows ,wash all the carpets,and bed covers,prepare my flower beds and flower pots for the new flowers to plant,and watch the fresh clean leaves of the trees coming out in my garden and watch them growing more and more every day until they reach full growth and sit under their shade and thank God for his gratitude .
Despina
looking forward to reading more posts on the subject.
- k.m.
Hi Mallika, My spring renewall is easy- I walk out of my house jump in my car- drive up the mountain- get out of my car put on my boots– grab my skis and polls – up the chairlift and then
SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII —- then SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII and keep Skiiiiinnnnnnnggggg
Ski-man,
Ed
thank you Malika! so true!
Eva Selhub, MD
http://www.theloveresponse.com
The Love Response, Ballantine Books Feb. 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mARhDg7mIkU