My spirit feels lighter this week and hopefully, my writing follows suit. I do know that my mood can follow the weather, and a series of hot sunny days, and seeing the grass turning green and trees teasing with new green shoots all remind me that life renews and that anything is possible.

The weighty issues of the world are all still there, and I certainly have thought and pondered and written about them. A lot. But light inevitably follows darkness, and I can surely enjoy the light. Time spent outdoors — reading a real newspaper with a decaf coffee at hand, or running, cycling, walking – alone or with the special people in my life — brings me back into my life and restores much-needed balance.

The natural world has an incredible capacity not only to heal but to bring us joy. I hope you find your moments as well.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Allan