April 2004: On Easter and Spring

Aloha mai kakou,

Spring has sprung-it's April! On my walk every morning I'm sure to take the turn up Waikoloa Road now, at least as far as the stables, for the wildflowers are ablaze in wide swaths of vibrant yellow color, obliterating any hint of the threatening fountain grass that was there before. Seeing their exuberance challenges me to be sure that I am also celebrating any newness I should be embracing, for isn't that what Spring should be all about? It is time for 'Imi ola... seeking new life, and the best possible form for the life you've got.

I am hearing about several job changes for people lately-if you are one who is within a deliberate search for your best possible life bravo for you! Life is much too short to waste in a job that has just become a hum-drum 9 to 5 routine for you - Ho'ohana: work with intent and work with purpose.

I had a spirited discussion with a friend about this during the past week, for she'd noticed several changes within her network as well: her proposition was that there may be some truth in the restlessness that seems to pervade the Year of the Monkey. Supposedly those born in the Year of the Monkey (every 12 years, so 1944, 1956, 1968 etc.) are likely to be successful in whatever endeavor they choose, and having this preordained confidence they're pretty willing to shake things up for the rest of us. If you're interested in more Monkey Year lore, check this out just for fun: http://www.chineseastrology.com/wu/monkeyyear.html ...it's intriguing; the author claims this is "A year of sidestepping problems and clever manipulations, backed by intelligence and guile." No wonder it's an election year...

Personally I've always been one to challenge the notion of fate. We deserve better than that. I much prefer believing in 'Imi ola, in that we are the authors of our destiny, possessing the incredible capacity to make our own choices and not be victims of happenstance. Most of the other species inhabiting the planet with us aren't as lucky, so spread out all your choices before you and grab hold of the best one.

Not too long ago I did some coaching for someone anxious to break out of a position they found much too stressful and unrewarding. Finances and other responsibilities didn't hold them back; their biggest concern was that leaving before securing new prospects would leave a gaping hole in their resume. This is an old job-hunting concern that needs to go away: don't think of it as a "hole", think of it as a bucket, or a well that you can now fill up with all the wonderful pursuits you'd otherwise not have the time to give your attentions to. Eventually a new employer will be happy to welcome you as someone fresh and newly rejuvenated.

Now I truly don't intend to be impulsive and flippant about this, a job change is a big decision. However you probably don't have to go that far - I just want to urge you to let Spring inspire you: break out of any routine you may find you're stuck in. There are surely a myriad of ways you can be more creative within the job you have, setting revitalizing goals and finding some new avenues for your attention. (If you have some ideas on this, write back and share them with me.) Believe in yourself and in your gut level intuition. Trust that Spring is on your side. Drive by the stables and see the wildflowers (you may see me standing there, mesmerized). You'll get inspired too.

More Easter thoughts:

• Easter has always been the only time I actually use the word "resurrection." Contemplating it always begins with humility and gratefulness at the incredible sacrifice the Lord made for us, but then they inevitably wander... for some reason I find myself wondering what lies dormant in the recesses of my mind, wanting to be resurrected as intriguing, fresh thoughts. Easter serves to simply help me pay attention to things.
• In the last month one of my Amazon book recommendations was A Perfect Day by Richard Paul Evans, because it's about a writer who achieves extraordinary success publishing his first novel. Then guess what? It ended up being about his spiral toward ending one life, and emerging into another one newly reborn...resurrection. It's a gift of possibility given to all of us.
• This past week someone who I am very blessed to know shared a Powerpoint with me that I have begun to think of as my early Easter gift. I'd love to share it with you too: take this link when you have a moment: http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/windowmovie.html
• Coloring Easter eggs with the kids has always been a cherished tradition, and when you think about it, a wonderful way to teach them about diversity, and valuing the differences in others...without mixing red and blue there would be no purple, no tasty lime green if the too-bright yellow you started with hadn't been dunked in the blue for a while.
• If you haven't noticed, the Reese's Peanut Butter cups in the yellow wrappers shaped as Easter eggs are absolutely the best seasonal ones they make - I don't know why, but trust me, they're different. Have some!

May your month be filled with the promise of 'Imi ola, of Easter and of Spring,

Rosa

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