Spring's Arrival in the Pacific Northwest

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all having a good week so far! As always, I want to thank everybody who wrote comments on the last blog. I loved reading what you have to share.

In the last two weeks, Spring has definitely arrived! There has been a big change since my last blog, and I have been so excited to take pictures of everything and document it.

March 25th was the first day it really felt like Spring. I went outside and it was significantly warmer compared to the previous few days. 16 degrees Celsius! The air smelled sweet, and some of the flowers were finally beginning to bloom all around the neighbourhood. The more I walked, the more I noticed! It started with seeing tiny flowers growing amongst the grass. Then, it was the little buds on the cherry blossom trees that had yet to open. And as I went, I saw more and more. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much change had happened so quickly. The birds were chirping, the bees were buzzing, the sun felt warmer, and the energy in the air felt so alive. Every year, I get so excited for this day, the day when the shift to this season is so distinct. It takes time, and is a very gradual transition throughout March, but then one day, suddenly, you really feel the change. It gave me so much energy and motivation, and made me very excited to spend more time outside.

Spring in Coastal British Columbia is really special. The way the air smells throughout the season changes as the months go by. March, April, and May each bring their own energy and scents to the air, depending on what is blooming. During this time, the end of March to the beginning of April, the cherry blossoms are just beginning to open up, and I’m so excited to see the progression as the next couple of weeks go by until they are in full bloom. I love going outside each day to see how everything slowly wakes up. It’s such an enriching time, and I want to savour it as much as possible. In Judaism, we actually have two blessings that we say when we smell flowers. One is a blessing on the fragrant flowers that grow on trees/shrubs, and one is for the fragrant flowers that grow from the ground. In these short little blessings, we thank the Creator for the beautiful flowers and their scents. I love reciting them, and each time I do, it feels like I am deepening my connection to nature. It enriches the moment, helping me to be grateful for the beauty and present with the experience.

Last week, I noticed that since the big shift into Spring, I have had a lot more energy. With the longer days, warmer weather, and everything blossoming, the energy has given me a lot more motivation and inspiration. With this newfound vitality, I’m excited to give more time to the things I want to do. If you are comfortable sharing, what is something you’d like to give more time to in your life right now? For me, I want to spend more time exploring new outdoor spaces that I haven’t been to in my area. What about you? Maybe it's a hobby, a craft, a project, or spending time with people you love. Feel free to share in the comments below the blog!

Now that Spring is here, and we are seeing it more and more each day, I hope you are able to have more energy and more time for what brings you joy. With all of nature waking up and blossoming, I hope that you can channel that as well. And, as always, remember to take care of yourself!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

- Sarah