Last weekend was the first time I got together with my girlfriends in over a year. We did our best to schedule Zoom meetings, but we all know it's not the same. We've all been vaccinated and decided to meet in Central Park for the Cherry Blossom Festival. We sat down on the grass and had a simple picnic. It was lovely to catch up in person and see how everyone fared these last several months.
Everyone looks at the New Year to set resolutions and goals. The truth is we start to see our ideas come to fruition in the springtime. Just like the Cherry Blossoms coming to life, we see our hard work evolve. One by one, my friends talked about significant changes coming their way. One woman bought a new apartment. One woman spoke about switching careers to become her own boss. Another friend was eyeing a promotion, and one was looking around for new challenges. A new young mother realized how demanding her job became and worked out a better schedule for herself. It was great to see them recognize their self-worth and potential.
The pandemic was brutal for everyone, but I believe it gave us a chance to really look at our lives. We began to see how precious our time is and that finding a higher purpose for ourselves became important. Many of us began to feel unsatisfied with the day-to-day pressures and want to know if any of them is worthwhile. Our health became paramount, and we saw the need to take care of ourselves better. Our priorities started to shift towards a more meaningful life.
For better or worse, we began to pay more attention to the world around us. We now had the time to understand the hurdles we all face. The planet came together as we try to help and protect each other. I believe we developed more empathy and compassion as we celebrated justice that was a long time coming. Enlightenment doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen.
Spring is the time for growth and possibilities. We all find ourselves at the crossroads at different times in our life. Trust that your path will reveal itself in time. We're constantly creating energy even when it feels like we're not moving. Once directed and focused, you'll find the help you need to get you to your next chapter in life. Keep turning the pages and embrace the challenges.
Now is the time to take stock of your life and envision what you want your future to be. Get out and enjoy the sunshine! We need the fresh air of nature. Trees are exploding with color, and everything feels alive. Breathe deeply and center yourself. Feel the love and gratitude all around you. We'll always need each other and this time apart made us realize just how much.
I hope everyone takes the time to reconnect with their loved ones. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and celebrating events we had to put on hold. I can't wait to be in front of a live audience again. I will not take for granted the time I have with friends and meeting new people. I'm happy that we can finally stop and smell the flowers. Please stay safe and healthy out there.