The green buds on the trees are finally here. Pink and white flowering bushes are showing their colors. The yellow, red and multi-colored tulips stand high in the planters on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Nature does its thing and what a reaction from the humans – smiles, people leisurely out walking, no heavy coats.

It seems that those of us who live in climates where it takes awhile for spring to dawn, really notice and appreciate this phenomenon of nature — when the bare, stark tree branches suddenly spring forth with shimmering green buds and little leaves. I love the new green color, light and bright, announcing to all of us “pay attention”. And we do.

The trees have been working for months to make this happen. In Tai Chi class, when we start by finding our center point, visualizing our legs and feet like a tree, bringing up earth energy, we bring up that energy to refresh and nourish our bodies. I often tell my students, in those days when tree branches are bare, the trees are busy at work. At the right time, they will blossom and bring forth all the work they have been doing for months. And here we are, like the trees, feeling refreshed and re-energized by the warm weather, signaled by new green life.

Let us all pay attention this week as the green leaves and vines emerge more fully and grace us with new life, with new energy. Let us take in that energy into our bodies and feel refreshed and renewed.