April, derived from the Latin word meaning ‘to open,’ beautifully captures the essence of spring as nature begins to unfold around us. This season heralds a time of magical transformation—much like the trees that blossom and open, welcoming the newness that spring brings. As we witness this change, remember that transformation can often be a chaotic process. Consider the scene where you might be brushing your dog, and hair scatters everywhere—this mess is natural and part of the process.

In nature, spring is a time for animals to molt, shedding their heavy winter coats to prepare for the lighter, warmer days ahead. However, shedding isn’t always about what’s visible. It often involves letting go of things hidden beneath the surface, unseen to the eyes. Transformation is about such shedding; it’s a sign of deep, significant change.

As we embrace the transformative energy of spring, let’s consider the Arctic hare, a remarkable creature known for its seasonal change in color. During the winter, its coat is as white as the snow, camouflaging it against predators. But as the seasons shift, so does its fur, transitioning to a darker shade to blend with the earth and rocks of the thawing landscape. This change is not just for protection; it’s a natural adaptation to the environment, a profound transformation that is both necessary and beautiful.

In our yoga practice today, let us draw inspiration from the Arctic hare. Just as it changes its outer layer to reflect its changing surroundings, we too are invited to undergo our own transformations. Spring is a powerful time not only for external changes but for internal renewals as well. As we move through each pose, imagine shedding what no longer serves you, not just on the surface but deep within your being. Let this be a time to lighten your spirit, to refine your inner self, and to prepare for the new growth that lies ahead.

You Are Loved – Trisha Lynn

“You are loved. You are safe. You are eternal. You are transforming. Do not be afraid. You are never alone

“We come from the earth, we return to the earth and in between we garden. Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion, being alive is a special occasion.”

“Never go in search of love, go in search of life, and life will find you the love you seek.” – Atticus

“We are made of all those who have built and broken us.” Atticus

“We are all born free and spend a lifetime becoming slaves to our own false truths.” Atticus

“Life is about change, sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s beautiful, but most of the time it’s both.” —Kristin Kreuk

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” —Carl Bard

“As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we need and what we need to leave behind. Sometimes there are things in our lives that aren’t meant to stay. Sometimes the changes we don’t want are the changes we need to grow. And sometimes walking away is a step forward.” —Unknown

“I welcome a new path, new energy, new connections, new experiences, new thoughts, and new ideas. I am open to all things new, different, and adventurous. I am ready for a new beginning.” – Idil Ahmed

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.” —Joseph Campbell

“Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she became a butterfly.”

“When the roots grow deep, there is no reason the fear the wind.”

“You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you.” —Eckhart Tolle

We can’t let go of thinking; it’s just part of being human. But we can choose not to get caught up in our thoughts. When we allow our thoughts to flow through us without attaching to them or analyzing them, we create space for peace and clarity.

It is all that I have lost that has set me free.

“Not every day is a good day, live anyway. Not all you love will love you back, love anyway. Not everyone will tell you the truth, be honest anyway. Not all deals are fair, play fair anyway.”

“While being uncomfortable and vulnerable is not an easy path, it’s the most direct route to becoming stronger and wiser.” – Robert Biswas-Diener

“Life comes with twists and turns. I try my best to embrace what comes my way with openness, curiosity, and kindness because I trust it is all part of my path. I want to live it ALL – the ups and the downs – with integrity, faith, and joyful energy” – Alison Kate

“Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open. You were born with wings, why do you prefer to crawl through life?” – Rumi

We are held back in life not because of who we are, but who we think we are, who we have been told we are. Our self-beliefs develop during our maturity into adulthood. Maybe we were bullied, maybe our parents were not supportive or missing in action; maybe teachers told you that you would amount to much.

We can become imprisoned by our beliefs, if we allow the beliefs of other’s people’s opinions, to define us. Enslaved by this mental bondage, we do not realize the potential within each of us.

“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”

“You have two choices, settle for what is comfortable or have the courage to grow into the unknown, you cannot have both.”

“It’s funny how we outgrow what we once thought we couldn’t live without, and then we fall in love with what we didn’t even know we wanted. Life keeps leading us on journeys we would never go on if it were up to us. Don’t be afraid. Have faith. Find the lessons. Trust the journey.” MarcandAngel

“We waste our time waiting for the ideal path to appear. But it never does. Because we forget that paths are made by walking, not waiting. And no, you should not feel more confident before you take the next step. Taking the next step is what gradually builds your confidence.” MarcandAngel

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” —J. Pierpont Morgan

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” —Lao Tzu

“It is the irritation in the oyster that creates the pearl.” David Scott

“All beings are flowers, blossoming, in a blossoming universe.” – Soen Nakagawa

“Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same.”

The tiny seed knew that in order to blossom and grow, It needed to be dropped in dirt, covered in darkness and struggle to reach the light.

“At any given moment, you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end.” -Christine Mason Miller

“If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining.” – Guy Finley

Nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through tears.

“You can’t change what’s going on around you until you start changing what’s going on within you.”

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” ― Steve Maraboli

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things. — Mother Teresa

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” ~Karen Kaiser Clark

“A door must be shut or a door must be open, if you try to chase two rabbits, you end up catching none.” David Scott

“When your past calls, don’t answer. It has nothing new to say.”

“The habits you created to survive will no longer serve you when it’s time to thrive. Get out of survivor mode. New habits, new life.”

“Sometimes when things are falling apart, you might realize it, but they may actually be falling into place.”

“At some point, you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart, but not in your life.”

“If you’re working on changing bad habits, unhealthy thought patterns, negative emotions, or toxic behaviors, know that you are healing a small part of the world by healing yourself. Everyone around you will benefit and they will be served by your wholeness…” ~Emily Maroutian

“The Warrior of the Light sometimes behaves like water, flowing around the obstacles he encounters. Occasionally, resistance might mean destruction, and so he adapts to the circumstances. He adapts, without complaint, that the stones in his path hinder his way through the mountains. Therein lies the strength of water: It cannot be touched by a hammer or ripped to shreds by a knife. The strongest sword in the world cannot scar its surface.

The River adapts itself to whatever route proves possible, but the river never forgets its one objective: the sea. So fragile at its source, it gradually gathers the strength of the other rivers in encounters. And, after a certain point, its power is absolute.” – Warrior Of The Lights ~ Paulo Coelho

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. Heraclitus

“Nothing is forever except change.” – Buddha

“Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.”–H. Jackson Brown Jr.”

“Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.” – Buddha

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one more responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin (maybe)

“Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you’ll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others. You can’t save or fix people, but you can listen without judgment, hold their hand and support them as they save themselves.” – David Scott

The Scene of Transformation – By Joanna Stratford

I am facing things that I have run away from before. I am facing the challenges set before me only meant to make me stronger.

I am letting go of my past, and I am no longer in fear of the future.

I am standing up for myself. I am standing up for my beliefs and for my freedom.

I am a part of the scene of transformation. And here is the confidence that I never thought I had. And here is the beauty that I had a hard time seeing in that reflection. And here is the place where I am rising and thriving more than I ever have before.

I need to be in the place where I can thrive and not just survive. I am a part of this scene of transformation. I am thriving in this scene of transformation. This is the place I need to be in this scene of positive transformation.

This is the only place where I can feel free.