Farewell, winter! Spring is officially here. Today is the dawn of the season of fresh beginnings.
Here in Southern California, you can’t miss the signs. Looking outside the window here in Altadena (coffee mug in hand), the first leaves on our fig tree are sprouting. Delicate pink and white blossoms have bloomed on our apple and peach trees. They sit, open and pristine, beckoning the bees. Little green shoots seem to pop up everywhere, reaching for the sun.
Newness is often a focal point of the emphasis our culture places on spring. “Out with the old, in with the new.” But I prefer dwelling on the element of renewal. Those shoots and blossoms are only the latest manifestation of seeds that came before, and of the rain and soil and sun and myriad other inputs. Growth doesn’t come out of nowhere; it’s only through time and patience that our efforts bear fruit.
On the Equinox, day and night find perfect harmony: twelve hours of sun, twelve without. It’s as if here, at the threshold of fresh beginnings, Spring wants to give us a reminder of the importance of balance. To move with intention and maintain our footing as we realign our course or embark on new endeavors.
For us, it’s the morning ritual that gives us the time to either pause and reflect on the journey, or envision and dream of what’s ahead. Creating that space for ourselves sets us on a more grounded path for the day, and beyond. It is, literally, an act of balance.
Our aspiration here at Canyon has always been to add some warmth through that moment. As we’ve continued to grow and evolve over time, that purpose has never wavered.
As we step into this season of renewal and new beginnings, we seek to carry with us the intention to continue growing, connecting, and cherishing the simple yet profound moments of joy and gratitude our daily ritual brings. I hope the same for you, and for you to have a vibrant and hopeful spring.
Warmly,
Casey
PS There’s a book we often read to our toddler Sonny called The Happy Owls. In it, a quiet owl couple shares the “secret” to their happiness with some raucous farmyard birds: through greeting each new season with gratitude, and finding pleasure in the small moments that make each part of the year unique. The chickens and ducks think this is a load of nonsense, and choose to stick to their day-to-day quarrels and entertainment. The owls smile and carry on, content in their wisdom.
Gazing out my window at the dawn of spring, those owls are on my mind. What small moments can I delight in today? What solace can I find in the turn of another season?
