What is it about spring that urges us to clean and shine, get rid of clutter?

Maybe it’s the sun finally shining its light on the things in our life that are no longer of use to us. Maybe it’s the sunlight showing all the streaks on the windows and the dustbunnies in the corners. We want to scrub everything shiny and new.

Fresh.

Spring is about freshness. The sense of a new start.

We’re all familiar with Spring cleaning our homes, yards, offices. Our actual physical environment. Many people also use this time to do a cleanse of their physical bodies. So, what about your mental, emotional and spiritual environment?

Take a couple of moments now to let the sun shine on you…… Where are the cobwebs? What clutter is there? What “junk” do you need to get rid of? Where could you use a little polishing?

How good would it feel to do a personal “spring cleaning?” To have a fresh, new you emerge along with the blossoms?

Here are a few places to start. And, I’m sure you’ll find some others along the way!

Who do you need to forgive, so you can get rid of some old baggage?

What old habits are no longer serving you?

What strength do you have that could use a little polishing to let it shine?

What inner grime can you clean away to let the warmth of your relationships really touch your inner core?

What lost dream do you need to dust off and bring into the light?

How could you bring more spring “freshness” into your life?

You get the idea! There’s a program developed by Coachville called “Clean Sweep” that provides a complete checklist of 100 items which, when completed will give you added vitality, balance and personal strength. If you want me to send you a copy, email me and I’ll send it to you!

Happy Spring!!

You pop the cork. Pour a stream of crimson fluid into your glass. Inhale deeply the aromas it offers up. Taste the richness and notice the complexity. Feel how it glides over your tongue towards your throat. Hold your glass to your ear. And, listen. Just listen.

This wine has a message for you.

I was contemplating wine the other day (ya think?). And, I was wondering what messages it might have to impart to us. What does the wine have to say to you and me?

I think it says: Stop. Pay attention. Savour the experience. Really tune into the moments in your life.

I think it says: Celebrate! Life is good. Enjoy what you have and rejoice in the small successes that are offered up every day.

I think the message is: Take care. Take care of yourself. Take care of the place you live. Be careful to nourish your body and soul. After all, what is wine without the soil, water and sun?

I think it says: revel in diversity. Enjoy the differences. Just as wines come in different colours and flavors, so do people. Appreciate the variety of the human race.

And, I hear something about changing, and growing. And, the process. Creating something beautiful.

I hear: Cheers! The importance of family and friends, being in good company. Choosing to be “cheer”ful and bring cheer to others.

Am I hearing things? Maybe I need another glass!

“Green Harvesting” is thinning out the grape clusters before they ripen to improve the quality and concentration of the wine. The excess clusters are cut from the vine and discarded.

It makes me think about what we need to “thin out” of our lives. Clutter? Tolerations? Energy drains? Those really annoying people?

Having such densely packed lives these days, we tend to want to keep it all. How much more rich and concentrated would our lives be if we cut off and discarded a bit of our own excess?

I did just that these last few weeks. I cleaned out a lot of junk! I cleaned out my closets and drawers and got rid of all my “skinny” clothes, I cleaned out the bathroom and linen closets. It was a literal purging - and actually kinda fun! I was ruthless.

And, I am noticing that I am feeling much lighter, more optimistic and energetic. I’m more focused, creative and productive. Wow!! I feel GOOD!

Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

Isn’t it wonderful that wine is getting such good press lately? We’ve seen that moderate (ie: 1 or 2 glasses per day) improves heart health, reduces arthritis, fights fat…. And, now researchers at the University of California - San Diego have found that a glass of wine a day can help fight a dangerous liver disease!

Seems funny to me that we’ve always been told that alcohol harms the liver, but apparently a glass a day is beneficial for liver health.

So I guess those of us that aren’t usually satisfied with just one glass are  not necessarily going to benefit But, it’s good to hear anyways!