The Joy of Spring
I love spring. While I enjoy all the seasons, spring may be my favorite, with all the scents, sounds and colors which flood every part of my senses! Being inside for the last months to avoid the cold winds and rain, have me anxious to be outdoors.
Video games and inside activities, TV and movies have a way of sustaining us when the cold winds blow. Sadly, however, these distractions also have a way of becoming habitual. They get in our minds and ultimately thieve us of our time, as we become more and more addicted to the sounds, and challenge of what we are doing, whether it’s on our phones, iPad, computer or any other digital device.
The alternative of remaining indoors, cooped up and chained to our devices is the opportunity to get outdoors and change our current trajectory. This pattern aids in mobility, promotes happiness, strengthens motor skills, encourages social engagement, and is a great stress reliever, while it decreases anxiety and depression.
My pussy willows made a beautiful appearance already and daffodils have dotted the landscape far and wide with their bright sunshine smiles. I’ve heard the birds chatter, while the frogs were croaking in the distance and turkeys are lifting their voices to attract their mates.
I love the smell of earth turned over, as the ground is readied for planting gardens. There is such joy placing those tiny seeds in the ground and watching them sprout and grow as the sun warms the earth and gentle rain —which also has an amazing smell—waters it. And flowers. There is something so incredible satisfying and beautiful about flowers in a variety of colors and scents to brighten any spot.
With all the joy and refreshment spring brings, it’s important to make the most of it. I have some suggestions, although I can’t claim all the ideas; but I have put my own spin on many of them.
Photography is a wonderful way to capture all these beautiful images of spring.
Paint with watercolors at an easel, or with chalk on the sidewalk.—or paint rocks. These make beautiful paper weights or conversation pieces.
Blow bubbles and chase after them as they float through the air.
Visit a farm, petting zoo or Nature Reserve and admire all the new animal babies who’ve joined our world.
Birdwatching. Set out a feeder with loose bird food and suet for the wood peckers and other birds who love this feast.
Go for a hike. It doesn’t have to be a long hike, nor difficult. A walk through, or near a forested area (a National park, State park, or recreation area, would be ideal) while looking for special rocks (like those mentioned above), pretty leaves, wading through a stream, taking photos or just walking to enjoy the beauty of the area is relaxing and exhilarating at the same time!
While on your hike, have a picnic! Pack some sandwiches, snacks and drink; and either find a picnic table or place a cloth on the ground. Spread out your feast and enjoy the meal you’ve brought along.
Visit a playground with different kinds of equipment. This will allow your child to climb over, under and around, using muscles not needed very much during the winter season. Or, slide down the slide or even swing high into the air on the swing.
There is a long list of other ideas for making the most of this beautiful season. And the beauty is, many or all of these ideas can apply to whatever ability a person has. Certainly, some may need to be customized, but an adult or child with a disability is as likely to enjoy any of these ‘outings’ as much as their non-disabled peers.
It’s important to remind ourselves of the beauty of nature all around us, if we only stop long enough to see and enjoy it.
Photo Credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=blowing%20bubbles%20happy
Photo Credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/wheelchair-picnic.html