Spring

My mom used to say, "If winter comes, Spring is never far behind." She shared these words as a metaphor with people who had troubled hearts.  Anne Marie Romer, columnist

Spring is synonymous with new life, new beginnings, new hope and anticipation.  The recent weather has been difficult to cope with because we are introduced to spring weather but it is only a tease because snowfall and cold weather sneak in.  Life is like a roller coaster also with its continuing highs and lows, deception and surprise, agony and joy.  It is the ride itself that is the adventure, rather than the destination. 

"It is important to remember where you came from, where you're going, where you've been."  Clark Manson, country artist

Spring also is a time to open the windows and blinds, enjoy the outdoors, and clean the cobwebs from our indoor spaces. 

SOME RULES FOR GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
* It is time to clean out the refrigerator when something closes the door from the inside.
*Keep it clean enough for healthy, dirty enough for happy.
*You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again.
*If guys were supposed to hang clothes up, door nobs would be bigger.
*Cobwebs artfully draper over lampshades reduces the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere.   Church bulletin

Of course, it is also time to clean out our depression, our loneliness, our claustrophobia, and our 
negativity. 

"As we move into Spring, whose whispers of hope remind us that the world is far greater than the winter cocoons we create for ourselves.  The butterfly in all of us awaits."  Anne Marie Romer

Judgement

Sometimes we are asked to judge others and feel that we are caught in the middle.  It is not a comfortable place to be. 

"Who do you like best, Mom?  Me or Michael?"  "I like you both." "I mean, who easier to bring up?  Me or him?"  "You are both equally challenging."  "But which one of us in this family does what they're told the most, is good the most, an' is most easiest to live with?"  "She chose the dog."
Cartoon "For Better or For Worst

This mom knew how to be a diplomat without taking a stance and becoming judgmental. 

"Do not look for the faults of your friend.  Do not repeat the shortcomings of your neighbors in your talk. You are not the judge of creation.  You do not have dominion over the earth.  If you love righteousness, admonish your soul and yourself.  Be the judge of your own sins, and chastise your own transgressions." 
St. Ephrem the Syrian. 

In other words, we are all imperfect and make mistakes. Who among us is able to judge?  Only God knows what is in each person's heart. We need to give each other the benefit of the doubt. Our words can hurt and degrade or uplift and console.  Our words can be a gift or a punishment. 

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Love never ends."
1 Cor. 13: 7-8

"Lord, help me to make time today to serve you and those who are most in need of encouragement and assistance." 
St. Vincent de Paul

Let's make a positive difference in the lives of others and ourselves as we all try to live our lives!

It's Tax Time!

It's Tax Time. 

Don't try these excuses for being late; they didn't work the first time they were used:

*  "I could not complete my tax return because my husband left me and took our accountant with him."
*  "I haven't had time because a baby magpie flew into my house and I have to stay in to feed it."
*  "I suffer from late-filing syndrome."
*  "A wasp in my car caused me to have an accident, and my tax return, which was inside, was destroyed." 

Sources:  accountingweb.com and the Telegraph

I don't know about you, but I am always relieved when my taxes are filed and I no longer have to worry about it for another year.  My sympathies are with all of you who are struggling to to figure out the new laws and rules for filing.  Life is filled with many frustrating moments and tasks.  Tax time is a very important, re-occurring nightmare for those of us who are mathematically and organizationally challenged!

Good luck!  Happy form filing!