Morning Friend,I don't think I'll rile the Climatological Gods this morning and ramble on about the beauteous arrival of Spring. I made just such a mistake two weeks ago and we almost simultaneously received a healthy BLAST of Winter which has only recently ( yesterday) subsided!Nature moves at her own pace, irrespective of the poetic whims and narrative wishes of mortal men.But as slow and often petulant as Mother Nature can be, when that Divine Diva finally DOES change costumes, the SHOW can take on a whole new energy, especially if the old costume has been worn so long as to become a pain.Such reminds me of the words of 17th century American poet Anne Bradstreet, who wrote,"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."These words I've posted on the door to my "office" at work, where you'll find several such INSPIRATIONAL nuggets.( it's not an "office" really, but a storage closet for mops, pails and other tools of my presently "paying" engagement !)In recent years I find myself being "accused" of being "extraordinarily, exceedingly, unnaturally, irrepressibly, and even NAUSEATINGLY...happy".The truth of the matter is that I AM decidedly delighted.The degree to which this is perceived is purely subjective, although I've never quite been clear on the concept of "TOO" and "HAPPY" in the same sentence?The source of my perpetual happiness is paralleled in Anne Bradstreet's comparison of Winter and Spring to Adversity and Prosperity.Having experienced and endured as bitter and "adversarial" a Winter as one could imagine, I now enjoy a life and lifestyle that is, ( and can be as long as I CHOOSE), perpetually Spring-like and pleasantly prosperous.This is not uncommon amongst people who've "changed costumes" in life; who enjoy and appreciate the new one so much more because it fits better...it doesn't dig in or bind....it doesn't hurt like the old one.(This might be one of the reasons CHER seems so exponentially enthusiastic during her performances?)Which is why you'll often hear FORTUNATE ex-drinkers like myself describing themselves as "GRATEFUL" recovering alcoholics.My "Winter" was particularly long and cold enough as to FILL me with gratitude at its' passing.I respectfully quote a fine old gentleman I know, who's basked in a season of his own making for 50-plus years who soberly says, "I don't know if there's such a thing as a Heaven or not, but I know there's a Hell, because I lived in it here on earth..."My many wounds have scarred over and they remain a vivid daily reminder of the icy Wintry lashes which created them.I am carved like a stream bed emerging from a mountain of melting snow; the water sings as it rushes freely over me.Today, it is Spring and I am ever so grateful to God and yes, pretty darned happy too!Today I won't be TOO FULL as to forget how empty I was.Today I won't be TOO STRONG as to forget how weak I was.Today I won't be TOO generous, or kind, or wise, or thoughtful, or energetic, or magnanimous because Winter's bitter taste is still a fresh and fetid enough of a memory so I won't literally LEAP IN THE AIR AND SHOUT JOYFULLY TOO HIGH OR TOO LOUDLY!Just enough to cause a little nausea perhaps?Anyone for a chorus of "I Got You Babe"?Love tImMy:/
Laugh as much as you breathe
Love as long as you live ( TOO something)
