Dull or Illumined, Leaden or Sparkling

Today I am grateful for a return to my usual energy and I am grateful for the wisdom and grace others in addiction recovery share with me.

I appreciate this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of so many I like from him:

To the dull mind, all nature is leaden. To the illumined mind, the whole world 

burns and sparkles with light. 

What nature presents this time of year in my neighborhood can also be dull and leaden. Dirty snow. Gray trees. A lackluster view. I am craving green and new life. I appreciate that March has arrived and by later this month we will officially have spring and daylight savings time.

My sister Aileen and her husband John live in Anchorage, Alaska. They have broken records there this winter for stretches without snow, and for lack of snow overall. We have talked about that gray and dirty landscape that wears us out.  

If we patiently persist, we will be deeply rewarded. It will start small, with some fresh sprouts and new buds. It will gain momentum and soon that color we crave will appear. Soon, the smells will welcome and the views will energize.

My mind can be dull when tired or too busy overthinking. It becomes illumined when I pause and soak up the present moment. 

There is beauty in this day and every day. There is light and sparkles and grace. Just stop, look, listen.