Marching forward

I often feel that February is the longest month.

I realize that in terms of actual days, it takes up the smallest space on the calendar. However, February is the last full month of winter. For those of us who live in the land of seasons, it can be dark, cold, wet, and downright gloomy. The seasonal cheer of Christmas is far behind us. Valentines day is done. The season of Lent is upon us, so for Christians, this is a time of sacrifice and reflection. The days can drag on.

It is around this time every year that I feel the itch of spring. The Earth is feeling it as well. Our bulbs are inching their way to the surface. The leaves are making their final free-falls from some of our trees in an effort to make space for new buds and leaves. The stores are filling with Easter baskets, pastel dresses, and (heaven forbid!) bathing suits. We have days where the temperature barely pushes 45 degrees. On other days, we are tempted to open the windows, letting in the fresh air and sunshine.

February is a long, cruel month.

I was searching for quotes about Spring this week for my school newsletter and found this gem from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: "Spring is the time of plans and projects."

Indeed it is. After a long winter's nap, spring gives us the itch to do more. The days are getting longer. The weather is more tolerable for outdoor activity. The garden wakes from its nap. The house begs to be cleaned and organized. We start to plan our summer vacations. We ruminate over the New Year's Resolutions that we have already broken, perhaps vowing to start again with a new season.

My head and my heart are full of plans. The logistics of time and energy are quite another matter. These days, I find myself struggling once again in a search for balance. If my writing seems sporadic, it is not for lack of ideas. It is simply a lack of time. Or a surplus of responsibilities.

As we march into March, I hope to refocus some of that energy. I know that it will mean some things will need to fall by the wayside. Where is your energy as the season of Spring approaches?

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