The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and wind is still,
You’re one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much
As dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you’re two months back in the middle of March.
Robert Frost
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Anne Bradstreet
Spring is a time for renewal – when life regenerates. Our bodies are rejuvenated as we shake off the bitter cold and long hibernation of winter. We awaken to the crispness of the fresh spring air. Flowers and trees begin to blossom, bringing fresh color and fragrance. Our senses are heightened; the warmth of summer is on its way.
But – what if – what if, inside your own heart spring is not awakening? What if something is happening in life right now that is stirring deep pain, suffering, conflict, anger, or fear? What if this is a time of loss, disappointment, letting go – relational, financial, physical, spiritual, or emotional?
If so, then perhaps this season is a time for greater compassion, empathy, and patience. Perhaps it is a time to trust, to fully grieve the winter loss.
Every instinct within us resists pain, sorrow, fear, and suffering.
For obvious reasons, our natural inclination is toward happiness, joy, and peace. Thriving is our natural state. But the Laws of Life speak to a difficult truth.
“The deeper that sorrow carves into our being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?” Kahlil Gibran
Though instinctive, when we fight against the pain, we actually block our ability to experience genuine happiness.
“To spare oneself from grief at all cost can be achieved only at the price of total detachment, which excludes the ability to experience happiness.” Erich Fromm
As we move through life, we are wise to recognize that pain, loss, and suffering can be great teachers, if we allow ourselves to learn – with gentleness and understanding.
“Those things that hurt, instruct.” Benjamin Franklin
When we feel the pain, anger, and loss it is, at best, bittersweet.
Clearly, there is no more difficult human task than grieving.
And to the depth that we love, is the depth of our grief.
“The risk of love is loss And the price of loss if grief – But the pain of grief Is only a shadow When compared with the pain Of never risking love.” Hilary Stanton Zunin
We must allow the cleansing of our tears to heal our broken heart, to restore it to joy.
“Tearless grief bleeds inwardly.” Christian Nevell Bovee
It is essential, however, that we are not alone in our pain.
All healing, transformation, and true happiness is experienced in relationship – never in isolation.
“He that conceals his grief finds no remedy for it.” Turkish Proverb
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.” Henri Nouwen
Allowing ourselves to gently move through the dark winter experiences of life is the only way to truly appreciate and celebrate the warm spring.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life; it goes on.” Robert Frost
As we are supported patiently and compassionately in the pain, loss, fear, and disappointment, spring is renewed and restored in our souls. We are able to re-enter life with greater vitality, wisdom, and joy.
“The pain passed, but the beauty remains.” Pierre Auguste Renoir
If there is loss, grief, or trauma that is holding you back in your life, please stop suffering unnecessarily. Learn how to develop the skills you need to process through grief in order to move forward in your life. Click below:
If you happen to be dealing with the loss of a pet, you will find this article very helpful. Click below:
