Good morning friends, family and interested listeners. It finally feels like Spring, looks like it too as the daffodils are sprouting and the buds on the trees are slowly opening. The hostas plants in my yard are timidly poking through the ground and soon will be full and lushes green and white hardy annuals.

With spring often comes renewal and for many of us across the country who have been waiting for this season to arrive, I am one, find myself evolving and sprouting like the new seasonal life.

I know I am not alone as I read the many posts on Facebook, see the flying tweets, and observe others I speak with or overhear them talking, that the past four to five months have been challenging. I prefer to use the term challenging rather than difficult, hard, or something even more negative. Challenges may be trying. However, there is always the light at the end of the tunnel if you follow it. I for one refuse to stop in the middle of the turmoil and wait for a resolution.

My journey may look different then yours, however, we all have the inner strength to battle through the dips and turns we encounter along the path we choose or have been directed to follow. As humans, we tend to doubt ourselves creating that self-talk that bullies us into believing that we are losing a battle. However, the truth of the matter is, it’s not about winning or losing it’s about finding the silver lining in each situation and make it work.

No, I am not a “Polly Anna,” because like you I too struggle with situations that feel wrong and awkward initially believing I have no control as I allow the feelings of doom and gloom absorb me. Possibly unlike you, I do not like those feelings, letting my body/mind go to the ‘fight or flight,’ psychological response to threats. The fight is the instinctive thought pattern of how to get out of this without being hurt or hurting others. The word fight does not have to be literal causing harm, and it can produce a benefit, getting to the end of the tunnel. However, the flight, the instinct to run is never a resolution, whereas fighting, facing and evolving is! (It may be a good idea, however, to take flight (run) if you are being chased by a charging herd of bulls.)

Personally, despite my challenges over the past couple of months, I am glad I did not run because I might not be here to enjoy this beautiful blossoming spring day. I found the fight, my inner strength to take the twists and turns in the dark tunnel until I saw the light. There were occasions as I followed it, I lost my footing, tripped and fell and got up and struggled to the end. However, I know another tunnel is up ahead and must be challenged.

The trick to living life is to enjoy each moment for it’s worth- “Dance Like No One is Watching!”