Seasons

In the Midwest we had Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter seasons. In rural areas we also had planting and harvest seasons. But down here in Florida we have a new division of time. Currently we are in the moment when Love Bug Season meets Hurricane Season. I'm rather hoping that the upside of that convergence is that the love bugs will stop their passionate mating and swarming and the hurricane will blow them out to sea.

Car wash enterprises are as busy as retail stores the day before Christmas. Trying to get smushed bugs off of grills and windshields can become a consuming passion when driving down I-4 and all you can see is bug guts smeared across the windshield. Any price seems reasonable if someone else will remove their little innards from your car. I hear that the bodies turn to cement and must be chipped off if someone takes too long getting around to washing them off.

Florida's seasons also refer to wet and dry. We're entering the rainy season, just left the dry or as some of us call it 'fire' season. Hopefully today's mild rains are enough to extinguish the multiple scrub fires that have ignited across Central Florida.

Whatever season we're in. My three cats and I have learned a secret to judging how severe or risky the day will be. We watch the anoles. Those adorable little bug-eating lizards with detachable tails. Nothing seems to shake them out of their complacent lives, except maybe the shadow of a hawk hovering too close. Otherwise they go about business as usual.

When the anoles disappear, its time to start preparing for nasty weather. Thankfully the anoles look blissfully happy.

Things change

The end of April signals a mood change in climate and perspective. April showers come to an end and May's flowers begin to bloom.

Are we also shifting our perspectives, letting go of the preparation and stepping into our blooming phase? It is time. Not just because of the seasons, but because we need to let go of procrastinations and just 'Do!'.

For me it is weight loss. Several of us freelance journalists have banded together in a friendly competition to lose weight over the next few months. We get points for exercise and drinking water, keeping a food diary and eating our fruits and veggies. The biggest points are awarded for loss in body measurement.

One observation I've made in the past couple years about health and weight loss is an eye opener for me. There is more to good health than being thin.

For example. As a writer, my life can be quite sedentary. In the past year I took on a part-time job for two reasons: I work in an environment where I am surrounded by books and book lovers -- heaven on earth. And second, I chose this job because I do not sit down for four hours. Constantly I am walking, stretching, bending. I move every part of my body and even exercise my eyes. The job is a lowly library page -- but where it may fall short in dollars per hour, it more than makes up in health benefits.

For someone as sedentary as I have been, who did not believe that simply walking or moving would make any difference, I have been proven wrong. Just getting up and out and moving has increased my stamina, my body strength, my breath and improved my self image.

So, this last day of April, step out of your attitude of would, could, maybe, and tomorrow and think May. Give yourself permission -- May I live a better life? May I try something new? May I take that first step to a new me?

Yes, you May.