With the warmer weather, I watch the variety of birds return home. New buds perch on the ends of the tree branches, waiting for the proper time to unfurl. The dead, yellow grass gets pushed up by green blades. People walk with a bounce in their step instead of stooping in protection from the bitter cold. Spring is a welcome beginning to another season of outdoor life after being cooped up for months.
When I brainstormed possible topics for this month’s blog, the obvious correlation between spring and beginnings occurred, but the term “new beginning” seemed an oxymoron. Aren’t all beginnings new?
Well, no. Some don't feel new. It’s easy to slip into routines and habits and let the freshness of life become stale. Some beginnings simply feel as if we’ve been there, done that. They may introduce heavy layers of responsibilities. When aspects of our life feel repetitive and boring, we can approach them in a new way.
Join me all month as we discuss a variety of methods to bring the "new" back to our beginnings, whether in our novels or our routine daily tasks. Let's view each day as a new beginning—the start of a fulfilled life.
I’m celebrating this new beginning—the return of spring--with a vase of flowers.
How will you celebrate the beginning of April?
What a great idea for April! Excited to read the posts!
ReplyDeleteLOL, first, I celebrate my birthday, ha!
ReplyDeleteActually, I have a blog theme for April too. It's VICTORY, which I think goes along nicely with your new beginnings.
March was a difficult month for me, and I felt God telling me he wanted to bring me to a place of victory. Not necessarily in physical things (but a writing victory would be nice) but spiritually and emotionally to a place where I can claim victory over the Devil who has been trying SO hard to bring me down.
With a smile (it's a start). And some great books to read.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is wonderful.
~ Wendy
I'll celebrate later this month by getting my garden ready for planting. Can't wait for summer's fresh veggies :)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I need a new beginning:)
ReplyDeleteI celebrated with a bout of Spring fever
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of 'new' in April,Jill.
ReplyDeleteLike Krista, it will help me with my April theme of "April showers bring.."--showering ourselves with what makes us to grow and sometimes that's a 'new' brand new seed!
To celebrate spring, I have my camera with me at all times ready to shoot the new colours.
Nice photo, Jill! I celebrated the beginning of April by taking my first bike ride of the year!
ReplyDeleteOoo, I wish it were spring here! Feels like another Arctic blast coming through. I will live vicariously through blogging friends :D Looking forward to your ideas about freshening our beginnings.
ReplyDeleteWe've had such gorgeous weather lately for spring, haven't we? I'm enjoying opening up and letting the breeze blow the germs out of our house.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I mentioned you on my blog today! :-)
This is such a great post for a Monday!
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful Spring is here! We had a beautiful beginning with Resurrection Sunday and tomorrow is my daughter's 11th birthday.
ReplyDeleteSo far we are off to a glorious start!
I enjoy each season, but Spring is special. I love seeing the glorious explosions of color as the fruit trees burst into bloom. I'm eager for our lilacs buds to open so I can dodge the bees, bury my face in the fragrant flowers, and inhale the wonderful scent.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! April is a way better time for change and resolutions than January when you're stuck in the middle of winter doldrums.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the posts. For today, I'm celebrating April with a little spring cleaning, inside and out. :)
Hi Jill -
ReplyDeleteMom and I took a long ride on Saturday. The flowering trees are at their peak. Stress melts away as I appreciate the beauty of God's creation.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Your post is just in time for our lovely Greek weather too. It's finally getting warm and those beautiful evenings sitting on our balcony are slowly coming into play again.
ReplyDeleteLove how you've related this to new beginnings as I have been thinking about that a lot lately. On another note, why is it that we need to wait for particular dates to set things in motion? Like New years resolutions for example? Strange isn't?
Anyway, a new beginning is beginning for me today too. It's time for me to start making as a bigger effort with my partner as I do with my writing!
This is lovely! I look forward to your other posts.
ReplyDeleteIn my church program, when I turned 12, I entered into a new young women's program and to introduce the girls, they called the little party "New Beginnings" - It's a phrase I've often thought of when I start new things in my life.
I can almost smell the lilacs in that picture. Ah, maybe I can keep that in mind instead of the snow we're supposed to get this week. Looking forward to these posts, Jill!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Niki
Fun month ahead. I look forward to your posts.
ReplyDeleteJill, you've always got the best ideas for post series'. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm all about this April, and the spring weather.
I love your series! I love spring and autumn because they're seasons of change rather than of deepening. Change and rebirth--even if you're rebirthing the same thing over and over again--can be revitalizing. :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more of your posts! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought much about celebrating the spring...maybe I will now. :D
The usual wonderful blogging from this place!
ReplyDeleteMore outside time with the dog Laura.
More praise for every sunny morning and sunnier-longer evenings!
Blessings,
Patti
Wow -- what a great idea for April. It's true that March is the hardest month ever, and I'm so glad it's over. Now I just need to renew myself for the next two months and then it's summer! Yay!
ReplyDeleteMy April begins with a feeling of renewal after a 2 week blog break. I'm celebrating by feeling refreshed and ready to take on my goals (new & old) with a fresh and more relaxed outlook.
ReplyDeleteI celebrated with my youngest's birthday...very sweet way to begin each April!
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys--I needed all these wonderful comments today! Thank you so very much for coming by and sharing your need and plan for new beginnings this month!
ReplyDeleteLovely. I like this idea. I want my beginnings to be fresh. I'm with you.
ReplyDelete