Leaping into Spring!

Today I am happier than I've been in a long time. You could say my 'day is brighter', or 'the sun is shining down on me' or even :it's almost Spring!!' My happy season!

     I am writing this on Sunday, March 9th. It's 6pm and the sun is still out! 😀 The time changed last night and I have waited for this day since the 1st weekend in November when my world started getting gloomy.

Time change can be difficult to adjust to and sometimes needs a change of routine and support.

 You see, I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Autumn and Winter are hard on me. I get up for work when it's still dark. I leave work and drive home in the dark. Where was my dose of sunshine today?  I'll tell you where it was; in my  D3 vitamin and if I am disciplined enough, my therapy light. I am not disciplined enough  though because I want to stay under the covers as long as possible before walking on a cold floor and feeling the cold air as I look for warm clothes that might hug me all day. I need to feel wrapped up and warm and cozy during this time of year. 

   SAD (aka: Winter Blues, Seasonal Depression)is real and if you are one of us then you know how excited we are right now that we now have the opportunity to celebrate SPRING! We will celebrate the sun and the rabbits, the eggs, the Peeps, the jelly beans and the chocolate (oh, the chocolate!!!), the pastel colors all around us with flowers blooming, Easter approaching.

Spring is celebrated in unique ways across the globe:

Festivals of Color:

   * Holi (India and Nepal): This vibrant Hindu festival, also known as the "Festival of Colors," involves throwing colored powders and water, symbolizing the joy of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Flower Celebrations:

* Cherry Blossom Festivals (Japan): Hanami, the tradition of viewing cherry blossoms, is a beloved custom. People gather for picnics and parties under the blooming trees. People often travel to Washington DC in April to see the Cherry Blossoms.

   * Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek (Holland): This parade features elaborate floats decorated with spring flowers.

* Nowruz (Persian New Year): Celebrated on the spring equinox, Nowruz marks the beginning of the new year in the Iranian calendar. It involves traditions like cleaning the house, feasting, and lighting bonfires.

Often we find ourselves spending more time outside, with family and preparing for spring and summer sports. We go hiking and walking, skateboarding and biking. We may get on the motorcycle or put down the convertible roof. We may plant gardens or do our "spring cleaning" with the fresh breeze lilting in the windows. 

Spring is a time of renewal and refreshing. Put the dark and dreariness behind you and LEAP INTO SPRING!