Much as I love the Springtime with blossoms and leaves returning to the trees, I also  struggle a bit this time of year. As many of you know, I am allergic to the fuitless mulberry trees which are all over southern Utah, including in my neighborhood as street trees. Before the leaves come out, these trees have little pollen sacks which look like catepillars. Over the years I have learned how to deal with these little buggers. I keep the windows closed, I take Zyrtec at night, and I avoid sitting on patios underneath mulberry trees.

I used to be really irritated by this six-week process every Spring. But, I have discovered the less I complain about it and just do what I need to do, the situation is definitley more tolerable. Yes, I am a bit drowsy from the drug and have less energy during the day. And, my activities are a bit restricted. However, I have learned to apply the pain vs. suffering principle. While pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. That is because suffering is the difference bertween the way things are and the way I want them to be. The trees are here, their catepillars bother me, and I need to avoid them. When I focus on being grateful that I know the cause of the allergy and have discovered how to deal with it, I do get through it much better. Guess the mulberry trees are a way for me to re-learn this lesson each year. 

How about you? What opportunites has life presented  you to reduce your suffering by accepting what is and practicing gratitude? I'd love to hear about it. We'll be exploring this more in the Spring Cleaning Workshop on June 3rd - details below.