Tap into your inner season of spring

The world feels like heartache right now. Everything in flux and fury and so little to soothe the soul. In such moments, it is even more important that we stay open to the myriad miracles of life.

On this first day of spring I want share with you one of the almost 80 practices in my book The Way of The Wild Soul Woman. It's a practice I try my best to follow, especially when I feel overwhelmed by too much to do and too much grief to process.

As the author Jay Griffith puts it, "Within each of us must be found energeia, and the quality of loving life sufficient to rebel against its extinguishing."

The exercise that follows will help you tap into your inner season of spring—your energeia. The part of you that is ready to flourish, despite it all.

Practice: Staying Present to the Myriad Miracles of Life

Sometimes we are so caught up in our own busyness, or trying to get it right, or simply worrying about what happened in the past or might happen in the future, that we forget to embrace the here and now. Much has been written on mindfulness, and it’s easy to see why.

If we don’t learn how to be present to our lives, we can’t receive the present that is our life.

So, try this: Go for a walk, alone. Walk slowly, mindfully, allowing a childlike delight to rise in you whenever something along the path brings you pleasure. It can be the smallest flower or fungi, the moss on tree bark, or simply the way the light casts shadows. It can be children playing or your eyes meeting those of a stranger. It can be the kindness of the checkout clerk.

Allow a deep inner smile to infuse your being. Become a smile walking. Become a flower of open-faced joy. Allow yourself to dance with life in the present moment.

Then after you’ve walked, please share your experiences below.