Have you ever noticed that spring has an obvious affect on people? Neighbors venture outdoors. Smiles abound. Attitudes lift. Deep cleaning desires surface.

A few weeks ago I enjoyed seeing warmer weather hint at the end to a long winter. My daughter retrieved her shorts from the closet. My hubby cleaned out the garage. Our dog loved her walk and the white blanket in our yard finally melted into the ground. Finally another season gestured its arrival.

Then the next day it was as if I’d been catapulted to Alaska — I looked outside shocked to see snowflakes the size of crumpled tissues falling to the ground. Okay, maybe a little smaller than crumpled tissues, but they were enormous! My energized outlook quickly melted.

I don’t know about you, but I often find myself looking forward to the next thing (which in this case is warmer weather) rather than enjoying whatever the here and now brings (which right now is a forecast of more snow). It isn’t that looking ahead is bad, but I find that if I don’t arrive at a balance, it can taint my outlook on today.

So today I choose to ignore the newly fallen branches and scattered leaves in the backyard urging us to rake once again and I refuse to allow the approaching storm to affect my mood. Instead I will grab a sweater and slippers, and see what fun unfolds indoors today with my family. After all, soon warmer weather will be here to stay and I’ll get my fill.