Signs of Spring

Last evening, I actually got out of work before sunset for the first time in a long time. So my husband and I walked the two-and-a-half miles round trip to the supermarket in the cool but sunny New England late afternoon. As we crossed the broad expanse of parking lot, we faced the setting sun and had a spectacular view of twin rainbows on either side of the sun. They were just small striped Stradivarius clouds, but they made it appear like multicolored sideburns.

On the way home (when the sun wasn't in our eyes), we could see that the first signs of tree buds were starting to finally emerge around us (Southern New England). Flowers have been pushing up from the soil for the past three weeks, but the trees seemed to be half-asleep this year. My husband pointed out that it doesn't feel like Spring where Mother Nature just explodes with life, color and scents all around. Instead it's like Ma Nature is dragging herself from a restless winter's sleep and really doesn't have her heart in it this year.

One thing that crossed my mind early this morning was if nature is affected by people's emotions. I've read several reports that argue plants can recieve impressions from people as well as from other plant life. With the global recession, fears of the future and overall unease in people today, can we actually be affecting the plant life around us collectively? It's an interesting thought.

But if it IS true. I wonder if people went around purposely being happy as they strolled down the sidewalks and through parks, would the trees start to sprout with their own signs of life and vitality.

It's already been shown that a nice day does brighten our own outlook. Maybe our outlook can help brighten the day.

- ESA