Instant Spring

After a long hard winter we grow restless after spending too much time indoors.  Never more so than the gardeners among us who are eager to get out there and plant our seeds, get them going, and bring them on.

These days we have become accustomed to having things happen instantly by man’s ingenious innovations.  We become impatient with the computer if it takes a few seconds longer than usual to boot up.  We expect things to work instantly.  We have instant coffee, instant lighting, instant TV and instant access to the web (well some do).  Most of the time we are working in the fast zone where we make instant decisions and instant purchases.  It can be very exciting working at full speed on an adrenalin rush.  We do get through such a lot in a day, then we collapse exhausted into a chair and stare at the TV watching others running round like headless chickens. We lose the balance.

Take a moment to think about what we miss.

Scientists have spent the last decade studying the human brain and which parts we use for coming up with creative insight. They are now able to see inside your brain using MRI scanners and witness the spark as it happens and what they have discovered is that you and every one of us can become more creative.

Most of our waking hours we use our left logical side of the brain where the brain waves are fast and furiously coming up with logical solutions to life’s problems.  However, in order to allow the right brain to begin its work we need to slow down, relax and be patient.

Nothing in nature is instant.  Everything takes its time.  The only reason we get to see snowdrops pushing through the snow is that the shoots have evolved and developed thick waxy short structures that can withstand the freezing temperatures.  Most other plants have to wait.

I know we can trick seedlings into growing in propagators early, but if we plant them outside too early before the soil has had chance to warm up, they will die.  We can’t fool nature.  She wins every time.

If we want to get the best out of ourselves and our lives then we need to make some time for it.

Why miss out on those wonderful eureka moments when sudden flashes of inspiration jump into our conscious minds, when all we need to do is relax and be patient.

Oxford English Dictionary definition

‘Patience'  – Calm endurance of hardship, provocation, pain and delay.  Tolerance, perseverance or forbearance.  The capacity for calm self-possessed waiting.

For one to one Skype coaching sessions contact Susan on susan@susanloveday.com or visit www.susanloveday.com for more information.