This is a little late, but it’s still technically spring. I say technically because, living in southern California means that my connection with any kind of weather or season is superficial at best. I know it’s spring because that’s when the Trader Joe’s near me carries daffodils.

After being cooped up in the house all winter, eating food that either doesn’t go bad (roots, &c.) or that has been severely preserved (salted meat), spring time was traditionally a time when one could finally get out of the house and eat fresh things. Hence, our concept of spring cleaning. A time to fling open all the windows, let the wind and the sun in, and the stuffy and the cooped-up out. A time to fill vases with flowers and plates with lettuces. A time to just toss that jar of green fuzz in the back of your (okay, my) fridge without trying to salvage the jar.

In that spirit, I’d like to post a meditation I found a few years ago. Admitedly, I’ve never actually done it, although with it up here, I just might! I don’t know where I found it (I thought it was Beliefnet.com, but I can’t find it there now), so apologies to the author. It is being shared here in the spirit of universal spring cleansing.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

• What do I truly care about?

• What are the things that are truly sacred to me?
• Do I spend my life energies, my time, my attention, my money, on what I care most about?
• Are my best life energies going to serve what is truly sacred to me?
• If so, is there some support or help or renewal of energy I need?
• Is there somewhere I can ask for it, or can I make time in my life for it?
• If not, if my best life energies are not going to support what is truly sacred to me, what might I need to do to make a change?
• Do I need to change my job, or rethink how I spend my money or my time?
• What could I simplify?
• Am I surrounded with clutter that also clogs my mind?
• Am I working too hard for too many things that aren’t what I really want or need?

I don’t expect anyone to really post their answers to these questions, they’re just here for helpfulness. Also, it seemed apropos to John’s recent post. Think of it as a maid to help with your inner spring cleaning. Happy Spring!