The Spiritual Work of Release

Winter has been tenacious where I live. It’s been cold and stormy for what feels like forever. So much in fact, it’s hard to imagine warmer temperatures and verdant growth coming in just a matter of weeks. A recent trip to a home-improvement store drove this point home for me.

I drove under gray skies and cold, windy weather to one such store. Piles of shoveled snow lined the parking lot, and slush collected in puddles. I had bundled myself up in my heavy coat, fleece hat, and insulated gloves. I walked into the store and saw a large gardening display with tools, soil, and seeds of all kinds, each packet bearing a picture of bright, colorful flowers.

A Preview of Spring

I’m not a gardener, and I’ve never had a green thumb. But seeing that display—a preview of the coming spring season—buoyed me and gave me a spark of energy and optimism that I carried with me as I left the store and returned to the grim weather outside.

This experience has been on my mind as the Lenten season approaches. The glory of Easter may still feel far away, but the arrival of Lent lets us know it’s coming. And just as we might use winter’s last days to stock up on gardening supplies before we’re ready to plant, we can do so much more than passively wait for Easter to arrive. Lent is a powerful time of preparation, a time to do the deep spiritual work of release.

The Need for Release

I think of what my life would look like without the things I would like most to release. What would I feel brave enough to do if I released my fear? How might my outlook and attitude improve if I stopped complaining? How much more awake would I be to the world’s wonders and God’s grace if I released my stress?

Those are just a few of the weeds I’m looking forward to pulling from the garden of my consciousness. As I do it, I will plant new seed thoughts for the traits I want to grow—courage, appreciation, wonder.

I pray you use this time before the days lengthen and the weather warms to embark upon this journey of release, to let go of the habits and beliefs that might be holding you back from the fullest expression of your spiritual gifts. This mindful practice will help you to step out in faith that the positive, life-affirming thoughts you are carrying will take root and bloom in your life, allowing you to carry the promise of Easter far into your future.

This was a Daily Word editor’s letter. To subscribe to Daily Word, please visit https://shop.unityonline.org/subscribe.