Dare to Dream: Endings and New Beginnings

There is a stream that cuts across our backyard. Yesterday, it seemed completely frozen. When I looked closer I realized that, right under the ice, there was this faint vein of water moving. There is life at the bottom of this stream.

There are frogs, fish, and all kinds of creatures snug in the mud, waiting and preparing for the thaw. Spring is coming and when the temperatures are right and the environment hospitable, they’ll find their way to the surface and they’ll begin yet another cycle.

We too are creatures of nature. We live our lives in cycles; endings and new beginnings and everything in between. Every cycle has its own purpose. There are tasks we need to accomplish. The better we are at being present with ourselves, the easier and more purposeful our transitions become.

You can try being present with yourself now.

Take a couple of deep breaths and let your body relax. As you continue to breathe, gently bring these questions to consciousness.

What is changing in your life right now?

What is asking to be released?

Are you ready to begin letting go of the old and create space for the new?

Where do you begin?

  • Are you looking at your surroundings and thinking it’s time to change a few things?
  • When you reflect upon the people in your life and your relationships what does your heart tell you? Are there people or behaviors that are not supportive of you and your peace of mind?
  • Have you started feeling more energetic and excited, only you’re not sure why?
  • Do you catch yourself dreaming of new possibilities and different ways of doing things?
  • Are you ready to look ahead and plan?
  • What do you need to make things happen?

This month’s posts will be all about our exit strategy . . . exiting Winter and coming to the surface for a breath of fresh air and brand new possibilities. Stay tuned . . .

11 Comments

  • Elena

    Yota since I started reading your posts, I learned to notice the changes in nature and how they are connected with our life circles … I’m sure that where you live you have the opportunity to see the changes of seasons more than we do, here, in Athens, I love the way you present it .. I am already reflecting on my exit strategy …

    • Yota Schneider

      You’re absolutely right, Eleni:-) The transition between seasons is much more dramatic and evident in the NorthEast USA. I do remember my days in Greece though. Although the change of the seasons wasn’t that striking, the signs were there for us to notice.The amount of light, the way the air felt, the different flowers blooming according to the season, the temperature, and certain seasonal rituals that marked the succession of the seasons. Then, there is always the way we feel inside. Our psyche knows what’s going on. Can’t wait to hear more about your exit strategy:-) Hugs.

  • Linda Samuels

    I love how your observation of nature’s changes relates to the changes we may be noticing or experiencing in ourselves. What beautiful poetry you create to inspire and prepare us for the next part of the cycle. I also love your choice of words, “exit strategy” for winter’s freeze into spring’s new breath. Just lovely…and so you! Thank you for these wonderful thoughts and questions.

    • Yota Schneider

      Thank you for adding to this post, Linda! I know how well you relate to the seasonal changes and incorporate them to your work. At this point, I am more than ready to finalize my exit strategy:-) As I was driving today, I felt the change coming about. There were patches of earth showing through the layer of snow and I felt excitement building up inside. It was the first day in weeks that I felt this way.

  • Ellen Delap

    I love the thought of the cycles of our lives. Often I remind myself and my clients of these cycles to help them gain perspective. I appreciate the link to the natural cycles around us.

    • Yota Schneider

      Hi Ellen, I can see how reminding your clients of their lives’ cycles can produce an “aha” moment for them. I’ve always found taking my clues from nature liberating. There is a wealth of guidance and insights available to us; if only we tune in. Thank you for stopping by:-)

  • Andrea Sharb

    Yota, I appreciate your reminder about life under the ice. Today I looked out over Lake Erie and as far as I could see there was only ice and snow. It was still below zero, as it has been for what seems like forever, but what was very different was that it was 6PM and the sun was beautifully illuminating the lake’s wintery surface.

    Even in this seemingly endless winter there is evidence of change in the lengthening of the days. The days will eventually warm (it’s actually supposed to be above freezing along the North Coast tomorrow!) the snow and ice will eventually melt and spring will eventually arrive.

    I’m grateful to have happened upon your post this evening because it allowed me to pause and consider what I witnessed this afternoon and appreciate it as a first promise of spring.

    Thank you.

    • Yota Schneider

      Good evening Andrea,
      Thank you for sharing what you witnessed – the beautiful image of the lake’s wintery surface being illuminated by the sun. I can almost see it . . . the glistening surface, the hint of warm days to come:-)) You’re right about the subtle changes that point the transition from one season to the next. It’s so easy to give in to the fear that winter will never end . . .but it does. Spring will not be denied.

  • Denise Lee

    A lovely reminder to tap into our awareness of ourselves and our environments. As the spring thaw comes I am wondering what new ideas and energies will emerge.

    • Yota Schneider

      Thank you for stopping by, Denise. You’re right; this is the beauty of Spring. As the ice melts, we never know what will present itself. We can envision – based on past experience – and even then, Spring always finds a way to surprise us. I guess one way to prepare is by creating space and remaining open to possibilities.

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