Signs of Spring

When the sunlight is dwindling in autumn, we consciously create lanterns as a symbol for our hearts, which are containers for warmth and light throughout the cold winter months. Then when the snow flies and the winds blow, the warmth lives in our hearts. It's safe there. Incidental meetings with others and their uplifting quality are infrequent in winter - it's too cold to stop and chat for long, but we can keep our hearts warm by practicing positivity and equanimity. We know spring will come again, winter will not last forever. When we consciously hold the light with open minds and hearts, we notice the first signs of spring. The longer days, the quality of the sunlight, the bubbling up of energy in the children: these are signs that spring is coming. Underground, long before the shoots pop up, we recognize the energy. On Candlemas day, we celebrate the return of the light by making candles. Then with hearts and terms of endearment, we celebrate our relationships on Valentine's Day. February is a month of baby steps towards spring. It requires faithfulness. The overt signs of spring are as of yet unseen but we await them with joyful anticipation. This is the same kind of faithfulness that helps us while watching our children grow. Although we may not yet see the behaviors we are hoping for, we can recognize the signs that they are coming and hold a picture of who our children are becoming steadfast in our hearts.