Enjoy the rebirth of new beginnings

Spring is at our doorstep and is knocking at our door. Spring is saying, “Come outside and celebrate.”

The flowers are peeking through with all their wondrous color and beauty. They are saying, “Come alive. This is a new day, a day to enjoy and refresh.”

What I like most about spring and Easter is the idea of rebirth and new beginnings. It is like God is saying, “You get a second chance.” Just like the flowers that muster the strength to start over every year, we too have the chance for new beginnings. But to begin anew we must push through the soil of discouragement and fertilize ourselves with determination to renew and refresh in the new day.

It is time to open our door and come outside, refresh ourselves, breathe the fresh air and begin anew. Ask yourself, “What is it that I can remove from my life so I can make room for something better?” For the spring flowers to have room to grow and blossom, the weeds have to be removed. If the weeds remain, they soon will take over and leave no room for the flowers.

As parents, we must ask ourselves, “By my example, am I planting seeds that will help my children to choose to be grateful or unappreciative; forgiving or unforgiving; short tempered or patient, etc. Whatever seeds are sown, our children will likely grow them, too.

As we sow seeds of kindness and concern for others, our children will take notice, and as they mature, they will allow the same to grow in their lives. But the opposite is true: If we grow negative, complaining attitudes. Our children will more likely grow the same things in their lives.

We can teach our children, by example, that we can change and grow and become a better person, or we can teach them to walk on the same old path of negative thinking.

So punch the pause button for a moment, breathe in fresh air and say to yourself, “I can’t redo the days gone by, but I can set my mind to change the days that are ahead. I choose this one thing to do better (be more patient, kinder, be more present in my child’s life, etc.), and I will take one thing at a time and practice it until it becomes reality.”

Start by sowing positive “seeds” into your child’s life with your words:

• “Hey, I loved the way you ... ” • “You are a great kid, I am glad you are mine.”

• “You can do it.” • “Your choices matter.” • “I would like to hear what you think.”

Move on by examining negative thoughts about your own self.

Rephrase those thoughts to those such as:

• I choose patience over anger. • I choose to grant mercy and grace to those who offend me.

• I choose to not allow my circumstances, my negative child-up bringing to dictate who I am.

• I choose to have an abundant life full of love and laughter.

• I choose to grow and learn and love.

Planting one positive thought, doing one positive action is the start of beginning anew and continuing to do those things over and over until it becomes habit makes for new beginnings.

Just like spring brings forth new life, we are given second chances to replant and regrow and become a better person for ourselves, our children and the world around us.

So let the planting begin. May many beautiful flowers of many different colors grow in your life and that of your children, family and friends.

Dianne Glasgow is a family and child specialist at the LSU AgCenter in Caddo Parish.

She can be reached at dglasgow@agcenter.lsu.edu, 226-6805 or 464-2552.