This morning I saw my first robin of the year. It's one of the things I look forward to every year. It always reminds me that spring is coming and the dreary winter months will soon be over.

I definitely like spring time. It has a way of renewing hope in me. The landscape starts transforming from a dull, lifeless brown to a burst of color. A breeze no longer chills to the bone, but carries on it fresh smells of flowers in bloom. Of course Easter is a central part of it too, and what greater hope is there than that.

I see some parallels between the seasons of winter and spring and my recovery. In the midst of my struggles, it can feel like winter. When I look at myself, I see nothing that is alive. I can feel frozen where I am, with little strength, courage or motivation to do the hard work I know is necessary.

There have been times when I have felt like my battles are much like the situation in Narnia in "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe". For them, they had endured 100 years of winter but never Christmas. The inhabitants were worn down by it and had little hope.  That is until things started to thaw. As they saw signs that the winter was breaking, hope was rekindled and they had a new determination to defeat their enemy.

It's for that same reason that I like the spring time in my recovery. I see signs that change is possible in my life. I catch moments where the darkness lifts and things seem to come to life again. I have a renewed sense of hope and I am willing to face my fears.

I love the first signs of spring.