Play in the Puddles!

I often refer to May as the “greening” month. It’s when a million brilliant shades of green surround us on this magnificent mountain, and new vitality rises from every leaf and blade of grass.

It’s a time of transformation and exquisite beauty.

This applies not only to the environment, but also to our inner worlds. Sometimes caught up in the chatter of the voices around us, we forget that serenity, joy, and transformation can exist just a breath away.

Today, as I carry my coffee mug through the gardens, I see the green starts of the lilies and hyacinths. They are in the short period of transformation from green to blossoms. I also think about the times I take life so seriously that I forget to play. Admittedly, I can be too serious and need reminders to lighten up. That’s when I go to my gardens.

Playing allows joy to flow into me easily with spontaneous laughter and playful movements – like the birds and frogs that play in the trees and among my vegetable plants.

For me, one of the most important things about playing is that it allows places in my body to become free, unstuck. It allows my mind to let go of anxiety and worry. It connects me to my inner child, who so wants to stomp in the puddles after a good rain.

That child is part of each of us. We bring the gift of joy to the world around us when we allow ourselves to play. This hasn’t always been easy for me, and what that looks like for each of us may be different, but the energy is ramped-up joy!

I painted a rock as a reminder for me to find joy in the smallest things, not being afraid of getting wet or muddy. I also love yellow rubber duckies, and even have one that I named Hope, tattooed on my left forearm.

So it makes sense that I would paint a rock that says Play in the Puddles…Quack! Quack!

This is an invitation to get messy and enjoy a rainy day. Enjoy the green of May when life is blooming around you.