“I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad..” -Julie Andrews
Spring is the time where we realize all the harsh moments of winter were all worth it. Butterflies. Tulips. Green grass. Longer nights. Shades. Dancing on the beach. The sun shining on your skin. When golden hour is no longer a quick moment of sunshine at 7pm, it is every moment. Spring has barely started, but with all of the rain us Californians have experienced this month, it’s hard to ignore the bright green fields that shine through our wind. Butterflies gracefully flying through the calm wind. Here in Thousand Oaks, the cool breeze and the summer sun reminds me how beautiful the world is. I hope you can all learn to see that beauty, too.
Today, I went on a hike across the street from my school’s campus. Before I left, I felt a mass amount of stress overwhelm me. With spring coming, that also means a lot of deadlines are coming. Midterms, tests, papers, and research projects all piled on me within the last two weeks. How could I learn to enjoy the beautiful weather when I am too busy being stressed about everything I need to get done? Lately, it feels as if I can’t get a break from all of the busy work or responsibilities. I never expressed my amount of stress to anyone but I could sense that my close friends noticed my unusual discomfort. To be completely honest, I did not expect the hike that I went on today to shift my perspective on my life lately, but the small amount of time I spent in those mountains gave me hope to push through the semester.
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold. When it is summer in the light and winter in the shade.” -Charles Dickens
Me being a happy lil’ bean in the sun!
“There is something infintely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter” –Rachel Carson
My bud Danika and I enjoying the hike!
“Sometimes inspiration comes from a single ray of sunshine” – Unknown
I don’t know how mother nature does it. The earth is so beautiful. I felt like I was in The Sound of Music. That’s one thing I hope you realized while seeing those pictures. Take the time out to feel the fresh air during this stressful season. Even though the month of March reminds us that the school year is coming to an end, we also get to see the wonders of the constant rain that occured during the winter. I encourage you to take the time out of your day to go outside and take time to enjoy the great outdoors. Especially with people you love, trust me. Going on that hour long hike with some of my favorite people brightened my day. Maybe even my month. Even if it’s taking thirty minutes or an hour, taking in your surroundings while walking to class, it makes all the difference. Stay strong, new beginnings are happening.
All photos courtesy of author