I guess it would be somehow unsettling if you spotted someone wearing a blinding-bright yellow cotton dress in the grocery store on an overcast, rainy, piercing cold winter day, right? For me the answer is Yes, Because most of us usually associate winter with gray, dark, or dull colours, even in the way we dress.
Today, I was waiting for the light to turn green around Kirstenbosh area when I suddenly noticed a collection of stems with bulbs ready to burst open! They looked like tiny protea plants, and then I recalled that Cape Town is one of six floral kingdoms in the world, with millions of different species.
Lately I heard many talks by radio DJs getting excited about 1 September being the first day of Spring, but today, this moment was very different – nature was speaking directly and personally to my heart. The message was that “it was ready” for a change. “It was ready” to burst open.
As erratic as it is, Spring is the season of transition. Spring represents so many things to so many people – blossoming, colours, rebirth, renewal, regrowth, life, change and so on, a common denominator being the “awakening of the senses”. In fact, several places around the world celebrate the start of Spring, like the “festival of colours” in India.
If flowers trigger a sense of smell and are synonymous with beauty, then Spring definitely comes with a fragrance, and with a burst of colour.
But what does all this mean to our souls?
Here are some practical exercises I suggest you reflect on as we experience the natural transition from Winter into Spring:
a. If you had an opportunity to colour your experiences this past winter (spiritual, emotional, financial, relational, personal growth) what colours and shades will you use?
b. When you imagine the months ahead, what colours do you see splashed in your life story?
These two questions will help you to put your expectations and passion in perspective.
Lastly, remember this when you look around you: Nature is giving you permission to dream in rich colours. Live life colourfully in the next season. Choose the colours that are big, bold and bright. Be that lady with a bright yellow dress in the shopping aisle this Spring!
“If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.” - Terri Guillemets
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.” - Bern Williams
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