Spring!
by Erika Guedez, Community Resource Manager
Aaaah!.. Spring…. Wonderful, Radiant, Achooohh! Allergic Spring!
One of the new things I have learned during my year and a half in the United States is to experience life in stages, with its well-defined seasons and shifting weather patterns. Broadly speaking, where I come from, there are only two periods: the dry period (drought), which lasts approximately from December to April, and is characterized by a lack of rainfall and high temperatures; and the rainy period (heavy rains), which extends approximately from May to November, and during which precipitation is constant. A transitional period serves as a bridge between these two climatic phases. Due to its geography, Venezuela maintains a tropical climate year-round; consequently, the only things that really change in one's wardrobe are whether or not one carries an umbrella and wears rain boots.
In Kansas, on the other hand, the climate is intense, although it is somewhat mild from time to time.
And living through this experience imbues each season with personal significance; the external weather influences our emotions so profoundly that—perhaps for those of you who were born here, or who have spent most of your lives in this place—this has already become something habitual and normal. But for those of us who have just arrived and are still finding our way, this entails an explosion of emotions, adaptation, and self-discovery: Who are we in winter? Who are we in summer? Do you see what I mean?
During my first winter, I went to the doctor with some strange symptoms, and he prescribed me Vitamin D. I thought, "Are you kidding me?" (Obviously, I only thought it). I believed I knew myself better than the doctor did. I thought: "What? That makes no sense! I don't need that... I'm fine! I didn't come here for that." But just a few days after starting the treatment... My mood improved; I felt more focused and cheerful.
How wonderful You are, O God, and how wonderful is Your creation! How You have designed everything with such perfection that every season holds a significance both internal and external! Each of Your creations has a purpose; how beautiful is nature, and how fascinating are the people we become through each of its phases! Look at that! Nature is awakening... a flower of beautiful colors! Wow! What a wonderful Artist our God is!
Spring: A profound sense of renewal, characterized by an increase in positive emotions, vitality, and a desire for social connection, driven by longer daylight hours and hormonal changes—such as an increase in serotonin and dopamine. It is often associated with love, beauty, and energy.
Early this spring, my eyes started burning and watering, and my nose turned into an incessant, runny mess. Naturally, I thought about going to the doctor again. That was until my colleagues asked me, "Erika, how did you get through the spring last year?" My mind went blank, and then—of course!—It hit me! Last year, I went to the eye doctor and got new glasses because my eyes were burning... but—ah!—it was spring! So my colleague Michelle gave me some allergy pills, and—guess what?—I felt so much better.
I took the liberty of asking a few people: "How would you describe spring in a single word?" Their responses: pollen, storms, itchiness, vacation—hooray!, beginnings, allergies, flourishing, fragrant, refreshing, alive. And more... Each with a different perspective.
Ultimately, spring is like a physical and mental renewal: beyond the natural world, one feels an inner impulse to embark on new projects and personal changes. And so I begin my spring—with eyes burning and plagued by allergies, yet still delighting in the flowers and the shifting temperatures—cold, then warm; cold, then warm; and all over again... haha, okay... I also love the long days; I find joy in seeing the signature of our GOD—YAHWEH—in every detail, and in giving thanks for His marvelous creation.
Support Young Leaders Like Erika!
Want to support our leadership pipeline? Sign up to give monthly, here. We couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of donors like you!