Fresh start

Yesterday, I officially began participating in a blogathon. Should be a fun-filled month ahead, with lots of links and back and forth commenting. At least I hope it works out that way.

Today, I chose the above picture to post because I just returned from New York, where the tulips are blooming all over the city. I found these in Central Park. I took several shots, but this one was my favorite. Since I'm not feeling well (I returned home with a head cold. Not swine flu. No worries there.), I thought it would be nice to give myself--and you--some flowers and the promise of a fresh start. Don't know about you, but I feel better already. ;-)

At BIKE WITH JACKIE this month, during the blogathon, we'll focus on a theme--the fresh start.

I find when I am in healing mode (whether that's from a cold, a personal upset, or other unfortunate circumstance) I look for the beautiful things in life, tulips, for instance. What about you? When you're down or feeling lousy--no matter what the cause--are you able to look for, see, and focus on things that can set your mind at ease?

For the next 30 days or so, I'll share with you what I do to steer my thoughts in the direction of what I do to keep the momentum of forward movement going, even when a ride is not possible on the road. For me, the ride is always possible inside my head. It can be the same with you as well.

So, we'll start with tulips. Then, each day I'll post a new picture and comment on things that keep me going or things that help me stay focused on where I'm going. Maybe it'll help feed the creative juices inside of you, so that you can do the same for yourself for whatever your goals might be.

At BIKE WITH JACKIE, we focus on living life with purpose, making conscious choices, and moving toward that which feeds the soul. Flowers in a garden can feed the soul. We'll start there. Tomorrow, please come back to see what else.

Spring time fun

"You are an optimistic person by nature.

In even the darkest times, you are hopeful about the future.

You feel truly blessed in life and can sometimes be overwhelmed with emotions.

You have an artist's eye.

You are always looking for beauty in the mundane.

You have a good sense of aesthetics, especially when it comes to shapes and color."

Does that describe you? I just found out it does me.

If given the chance--and since it's the first week of the season--would you want to know what part of spring you are? Today, I learned I am the blooming flowers of spring, as defined by the above description in orange. I completely agree with the assessment.

But I wouldn't have thought about it in quite this way if it weren't for one of my followers. Debbie at Heart Choices, recently posted about a Web site that offers short five-question quizzes to take that analyze who you are. They're just for fun. The one she mentioned--and the one I took as well--is called "What Part of Spring are You?" There are others. For instance, you can find out which celebrity you are, what your chakra is, what kind of street sign you are, and other silly things. It's good reason to have followers on the World Wide Web. You'll find fun things to do, such as the quizzes at Blog Things. You'll make new friends. And you'll surely learn a new way to think about yourself. Who knew I'd be blooming flowers, but I like that thought.

If you'd like to know what kind of spring you are, give the quiz a try. And if you find out that you're something other than blooming flowers, come back and let us know.

Make it a fun day!